To receive any apologies for absence.

There were no apologies from members of the cabinet.

To receive declarations of interests in respect of Schedule 1, Schedule 2 or Other Interests from members of the committee in respect of items on the agenda.

None.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 12 January 2023.

Resolved:       That the minutes of the meeting held on 12 January 2023 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairperson.

To receive questions from members of the public.

Questions received and responses given are attached as appendix 1 to the minutes.

To receive questions from councillors.

There were no questions from councillors.

To receive reports from the Council’s scrutiny committees on any recommendations to the Cabinet arising from recent scrutiny committee meetings.

Cabinet received two reports from the Environment and Sustainability Scrutiny Committee. The first on The Local Plan and the second on The Herefordshire Local Flood Risk Management Strategy. The chairperson of the committee presented the recommendations and thanked all who had attended the meetings and contributed to the debate.

Cabinet noted the reports and confirmed that a response would be provided within two months.

To recommend to Council the 2023/24 local Council Tax Reduction (CTR) scheme.

Cabinet considered a report on the proposed council tax reduction scheme for 2023/24. The cabinet member finance, corporate services and planning introduced the report and explained that the proposed scheme maintained the 100% discount from the 2022/23 scheme and that a recommendation was required from Cabinet to put to the forthcoming meeting of the Council.

Cabinet members discussed the report and noted that:

·       The scheme provides important support for households in need;

·       The scheme is a complex document designed to meet the requirements of legislation but residents applying for support are guided through the criteria and there are a number of third party organisations that also help claimants to navigate the scheme;

·       There is no hard and fast way to calculate the exact levels of need but information is gathered on numbers of existing claimants and from the Department of Work and Pensions on potential eligible households;

·       There are a number of other support mechanisms in place for residents who do not meet the criteria of the council tax reduction scheme and residents who are struggling are always encouraged to contact the council for help.

Group leaders expressed support for the principle of the scheme which is vital for those households struggling.

It was resolved that:

a)             The Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2023/24, with the same parameters as the existing scheme, be recommended to Council for approval.

To recommend to Council the proposed 2023/24 budget and associated Medium Term Financial Strategy and the Treasury Management Strategy for recommendation to Council on 10 February 2023.

Cabinet considered a report on the proposed budget for 2023/24 and associated Medium Term Financial Strategy and Treasury Management Strategy for recommendation to Council at its meeting in February 2023. The cabinet member finance, corporate services and planning introduced the report and explained that the council is moving on from the worst of the pandemic but is now impacted by the cost of living crisis and high food and energy prices. The settlement from central government means that councils have to raise council tax by the maximum allowed.

The cabinet member summarised the key points of the budget proposal and it was noted that:

·       Some councils across the country are struggling to set a balance budget, this is not the case in Herefordshire;

·       The proposal is for an increase of 2.99% in general council tax and 2% increase for social care, the cabinet is very aware of the additional burden this places on residents;

·       Financial support will be available for the worst off, in addition to the council tax reduction scheme, the budget proposes £1.7m of discretionary funding for other support;

·       The budget seeks to continue to invest while providing statutory services and many discretionary services valued by residents;

·       The cabinet have reflected on the results of consultation when putting the budget proposal together;

·       The council’s reserves meet the minimum required and earmarked reserves are set aside for a range of targeted activities.

The cabinet member thanked officers for their work in putting the budget proposals together, and scrutiny committee members for their consideration and recommendations.

Cabinet members discussed the report and highlighted key developments in each portfolio area.

Group leaders gave the comments and views of their groups. The level of settlement from central government was discussed and the delivery of savings challenged. Continued pressure on the childrens’ services budget was noted and the importance of investment in infrastructure, the economy and the environment was highlighted.

The chairperson of the scrutiny management board was unable to attend the meeting but though the leader of the council expressed her thanks for the work undertaken in supporting scrutiny of the budget proposals and to the Cabinet for their prompt and positive response to the recommendations made.

It was resolved that:

Cabinet recommend to Council for approval:

a) the council tax base of 71,073.11 Band D equivalents in 2023/24;

b) an increase in core council tax in 2023/24 of 2.99%;

c) an additional precept in respect of adult social care costs of 2% applied to council tax in 2023/24 resulting in a total council tax increase of 4.99%, increasing the band D charge from £1,701.70 to £1,786.61 for Herefordshire Council in 2023/24;

d) the balanced 2023/24 revenue budget proposal totalling £193.3m, subject to any amendments approved at the meeting, specifically the net spending limits for each directorate as at appendix C;

e) the revenue budget includes £4.0m for All Ages Social Care to fund edge of care and prevention services for all ages and the continuation of support for low income  ...  view the full minutes text for item 199.

To recommend to Council for approval the capital investment budget and capital strategy for 2023/24 onwards.

Cabinet considered a report on the proposed capital investment budget for 2023/24 and capital strategy. The cabinet member finance, corporate services and planning introduced the report and explained that a recommendation was required from Cabinet to put to the forthcoming meeting of the Council. New items for the capital investment budget have been selected on business need and ability to deliver.

Cabinet members discussed the report and it was noted that:

·       There are strict rules for councils about the use of revenue funding and capital spend;

·       External funding will be sought where available and appropriate.

Group leaders gave the views and comments of their groups, with the planned investment generally welcomed. It was noted that contingency funding has been allowed in each business case to cover a range of uncertainties, including inflation, but it is still challenging to mitigate the economic situation.

It was resolved that:

the following be recommended to Council

a)             To approve the proposed capital programme from 2023/24 attached at appendix C; and

b)             Approve the capital strategy at appendix D.

Cllr Gemma Davies left the meeting at the conclusion of this item.

To approve the Herefordshire Big Economic Plan and accompanying initial five year delivery plan 2023 to 2028; and

To explore the principle of developing a place-focused partnership board, to lead the implementation of the Big Economic Plan and other associated key strategies, embedding a cross county partnership approach to achieving the county’s opportunities, and seek the public and private investment required to achieve our ambitions.

Cabinet considered the draft Herefordshire Big Economic Plan and accompanying initial five year delivery plan 2023 to 2028. The cabinet member environment and economy introduced the report and highlighted the range of projects the council has recently delivered to support businesses in the local economy. The economic plan sets out the ambition for where the county wants to get to by 2050, with a 5 year deliver plan which sets out the concrete steps towards delivery on those ambitions. The document is a collective strategy with engagement from a wide range of stakeholders and local businesses.

Cabinet members discussed the report and it was noted that:

·       There has been good engagement and positive feedback from partnerships;

·       The plan seeks to balance investment with planning for future growth;

·       The plan will complement other documents such as the market town investment plans and work across the county to bring forward opportunities for rural areas.

Group leaders gave the views and comments of their groups. The document was broadly welcomed and it was noted that:

·       The approach would have to be flexible to adapt to changes in central government policy and take advantage of opportunities as they arise;

·       Investment in infrastructure is a key priority and while there are differences of opinion as to the best solutions, the council will continue to work with businesses.

It was resolved that:

a)             To approve the Herefordshire Big Economic Plan, and initial five year delivery plan 2023 to 2028;

b)             To agree to the principle of creating a place-focused partnership board, with proposals to be developed for cabinet’s consideration; and

c)             To delegate to the Corporate Director Economy and Environment authority to agree minor typographical and presentational amendments prior to formal publication of the plan, subject to consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment and Economy.

Cabinet approved the setting up a Shareholder Committee at its meeting on 12th January 2023. This report seeks Cabinet nominations of 4 named members of Cabinet to serve on the Shareholder Committee.

Cabinet considered a report seeking nomination of four members of the cabinet to sit on the Shareholder Committee. The cabinet member finance, corporate services and planning introduced the report and recommended that the nominated cabinet members should reflect the relevant portfolio areas covering services currently delivered by Hoople. She explained that substitution arrangements are set out in the agreed terms of reference of the committee so that other cabinet members can substitute in the absence of one of the nominated committee members.

It was resolved that:

The following members of cabinet are nominated to be members of the Shareholder Committee:

a)           Leader of the council;

b)           Cabinet member, finance, corporate services and planning;

c)           Cabinet member, health and adult wellbeing; and

d)           Cabinet member, commissioning, procurement and assets