To receive apologies for absence.

There were no apologies for absence.

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

Councillor Felicity Norman declared a schedule 2 interest in agenda item no. 8, 2021/22 Capital Investment Budget and Capital Strategy Update, as a member of the LARC (Grange Court) management committee.

Councillor John Stone declared a schedule 2 interest in agenda item no. 8, 2021/22 Capital Investment Budget and Capital Strategy Update, as a member of the LARC (Grange Court) management committee.

Councillor Roger Phillips declared an other interest in agenda item no. 10, Pay Policy Statement, as the vice chairman of the national joint council (NJC) for local government services.

To approve and sign the Minutes of the ordinary meeting of Council on 11 December 2020 and the extraordinary meeting of Council on 22 January 2021.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the ordinary meeting of Council on 11 December 2020 and the extraordinary meeting of Council on 22 January 2021 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive the Chairman and Chief Executive’s announcements.

Council noted the Chairman and Chief Executive’s announcements as printed in the agenda papers and in the supplement published on 10 February.

To receive questions from members of the public.

Deadline for receipt of questions is 5:00pm on Monday 8 February 2021.

Accepted questions and answers will be published as a supplement prior to the meeting. At the budget meeting of the full Council questions must relate to items on the agenda. Please send questions to councillorservices@herefordshire.gov.uk.

A copy of the public question and written answer is attached to the Minutes at Appendix 1.

To receive any written questions from members of the Council.

Deadline for receipt of questions is 5:00pm on Monday 8 February 2021.

Accepted questions and answers will be published as a supplement prior to the meeting. At the budget meeting of the full Council questions must relate to items on the agenda. Please send questions to councillorservices@herefordshire.gov.uk.

A copy of the Member questions and written answers, together with supplementary questions asked at the meeting and their answers, is attached to the Minutes at Appendix 2.

To approve the 2021/22 local council tax reduction scheme

Council considered a report by the Leader to agree the council tax reduction scheme for 2021/22.

The Cabinet Member Finance and Corporate Services proposed the council tax reduction scheme for 2021/22, with increased discounts compared to the existing scheme, for approval. In introducing the report it was explained that changes to the scheme responded to current economic pressures and provided broader support to people who were out of work. The changes to the scheme had been supported during the consultation exercise.

The Leader seconded the council tax reduction scheme for 2021/22 for approval and explained that there was a need for the changes proposed in the scheme for 2021/22 to respond to difficult times.

The principal points below were raised during the debate:

·         The scheme would offer direct support to people who needed it most.

·         There was concern for those local residents who were just above the eligibility criteria.

A named vote was held to agree the council tax reduction scheme set out in the report. The scheme was approved unanimously.

FOR (52): Councillors Graham Andrews, Paul Andrews, Polly Andrews, Bartlett, Bartrum, Bolderson, Boulter, Bowen, Bowes, Chowns, Crockett, Davies, Durkin, Fagan, Foxton, Gandy, Guthrie, Hardwick, Harrington, Harvey, Hewitt, Hey, Hitchiner, Howells, I’Anson, James, Jinman, Johnson, Graham Jones, Mike Jones, Kenyon, Lester, Marsh, Matthews, Millmore, Milln, Norman, Phillips, Price, Rone, Seldon, Shaw, Stark, Stone, Summers, Swinglehurst, Symonds, Tillett, Toynbee, Tyler, Watson and Wilding.

Against (0)

Abstentions (0)

RESOLVED: That

(a)  The council tax reduction scheme for 2021/22, with increased discounts compared to the existing scheme, is approved.

To approve the capital investment budget and capital strategy for 2021/22onwards.

Council considered a report by the Leader to approve the 2021/22 capital investment budget and capital strategy update.

The cabinet member finance and corporate services moved the report and proposed the recommendations. She explained that the report contained detail of the investment necessary to provide community facilities and infrastructure. All borrowing was subject to review and a number of projects in the capital programme had been clarified. The building of affordable housing in the county was proposed to help address a shortfall and greater investment in the market towns. Delivering projects within the capital investment budget on time and within budget was key and a new programme management scheme would oversee delivery.

The Leader seconded the report and the recommendations. He explained that the capital investment budget reflected the county plan. It proposed investment across the market towns and took advantage of government grants where possible.

In discussion the following principal points were raised:

·         A sustainable transport system and the suitability of electric buses in rural areas and the future of hydrogen fuelled transport;

·         The continuation of the warm homes fund;

·         The support provided to the market towns was welcomed and a suggestion that similar support is provided to large parish councils;

·         The investment in the enterprise zone and recent job creation;

·         The absence of a large infrastructure project in the capital investment budget, such as the south wye transport package;

·         Capital receipts resulting from the disposal of council assets;

·         The work with Western Power Distribution to ensure the resilience of the power network to cope with an increase in electric vehicles;

·         The construction of quality affordable housing to meet a shortage and the revenue cost neutrality of the scheme;

·         The scheduling of active travel measures projects which could be progressed more quickly following the cancellation of the western bypass; and

·         The support for the principles of the County Plan through the capital investment budget.

The 2021/22 capital investment budget and capital strategy update was put to the recorded vote and carried by a simple majority.

FOR (46): Councillors Graham Andrews, Paul Andrews, Polly Andrews, Bartlett, Bartrum, Bolderson, Boulter, Bowen, Bowes, Chowns, Crockett, Davies, Durkin, Fagan, Foxton, Gandy, Guthrie, Hardwick, Harrington, Harvey, Hewitt, Hey, Hitchiner, Howells, I’Anson, James, Jinman, Graham Jones, Mike Jones, Kenyon, Lester, Marsh, Matthews, Millmore, Milln, Phillips, Price, Seldon, Stark, Summers, Swinglehurst, Tillett, Toynbee, Tyler, Watson and Wilding.

Against (2); Councillors Johnson and Rone

Abstentions (2): Councillors Shaw and Symonds

Councillors Norman and Stone re-joined the meeting.

There was an adjournment at 11.44 a.m. the meeting reconvened at 12.04 p.m.

To approve the 2021/22 budget and associated medium term financial strategy and treasury management strategy.

Council considered a report from the Leader to set the 2021/22 budget.

The cabinet member finance and corporate services introduced and moved the budget and explained that the budget reflected the challenges presented by the COVID pandemic. The budget needed to plan for an uplift in service delivery and a reduction in income; it proposed the largest savings programme to be undertaken at the council. Pressures involved in the delivery of adults social care services had informed the decision to propose a precept of 4.99% including 3% in respect of adult social care. A wide-ranging consultation had been undertaken and support had been expressed to increase council tax to support the provision of local services.

The Leader seconded the budget and explained the significant increases to the base budgets for adults’ and children’s services. The council tax increase was proposed reluctantly at what was a difficult time but the increase would allow for: the expansion of the tax base; an increase in support for people unable to pay council tax; and the council to take advantage of government grants. The budget that was proposed was a balance between savings, the preservation of services and a council tax increase.

Councillor Jonathan Lester expressed concern regarding the deliverability of the savings proposals and acknowledged the strain on resources due to the COVID pandemic. The precept increase was not supported and an amendment would be considered to reduce the level of the adult social care precept by using the New Homes Bonus.

Councillor John Hardwick explained that the budget supported the County Plan and if the precept of 4.99% was not agreed it would be difficult to access additional funding from government. The consultation had engaged with stakeholders, parish councils and the scrutiny committees.

Councillor Alan Seldon explained that the savings proposed were part of a high level of savings across the public sector and the additional pressures posed by adults’ and children’s services were significant and could impact upon the delivery of other core services.

Councillor Terry James explained that the proposed increase in the rate of council tax was too high and would have an adverse impact upon local residents who were just outside the thresholds for the council tax reduction scheme. Reserves should be used in place of the proposed increase to the precept.

Councillor Ellie Chowns explained that the council was facing significant increase in the level of demand for services. Savings and the precept increase would meet the cost of this demand whilst support for people who were struggling and unable to afford the council tax was in place.

Councillor Bob Matthews explained that the precept increase would affect rural communities with greater levels of poverty. Parish councils were expected to provide more services and there was concern about reduced street lighting levels.

In the discussion that followed the principal points below were raised:

·         The precept would impact on local residents who were financially insecure;

·         The increasing cost of adult social care;

·         The work of the Adults’ and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 45.

To approve the pay policy statement for publication.

Council considered a report by the chairperson of the employment panel to approve the pay policy statement for 2021.

The report and recommendation was moved by the Leader (as chairperson of the employment panel) and seconded by the cabinet member for finance and corporate services.

During the discussion it was requested that in future versions of the report the hourly rate reflects productive officer time and deducts elements such as annual leave, training and team sickness. The Leader explained that he would discuss the request with the Assistant Director People.

The pay policy statement was put to the vote and approved unanimously.

RESOLVED – That:

(a)  the pay policy statement at appendix A is approved for publication.