To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Jennie Hewitt, Phillip Howells, Peter Jinman, Tony Johnson, Roger Phillips and Paul Rone.

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

None.

To approve and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 9 December 2022.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the ordinary meeting held on 9 December 2022, subject to the updated appendix of public questions, 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.

To receive questions from members of the public.

A copy of the public questions and written answers, together with supplementary questions asked at the meeting and their answers, is attached to the Minutes at Appendix 1.

To determine options for proposed changes to Council Tax premiums.

Council considered a report by the Cabinet Member Finance, Corporate Services and Planning to determine proposed changes to Council Tax liabilities with regard to second homes and empty properties.

The Cabinet Member Finance, Corporate Services and Planning proposed the recommendations and introduced the report.

The Leader seconded the recommendations for approval.

Council debated the report.

A named vote was held to agree the proposed changes to Council Tax liabilities set out in the report. The proposed changes were carried unanimously.

FOR (47): Councillors Graham Andrews, Paul Andrews, Polly Andrews, Bartlett, Bartrum, Bolderson, Boulter, Bowen, Bowes, Chowns, Crockett, Clare Davies, Gemma Davies, Durkin, Fagan, Foxton, Gandy, Guthrie, Hardwick, Harrington, Harvey, Hey, Hitchiner, I’Anson, James, Graham Jones, Mike Jones, Kenyon, Lester, Marsh, Matthews, Millmore, Milln, Norman, Price, Probert, Shaw, Stark, Stone, Summers, Swinglehurst, Symonds, Tillett, Toynbee, Tyler, Watson and Wilding.

Against (0)

Abstentions (0)

RESOLVED: That

a)    Council approves the following additional Council Tax premiums be applied from 1 April 2024, subject to the referenced legislation being approved:

· 100% premium for second homes;

· 100% premium for properties which have been empty and unfurnished for a period of between 1 and 2 years.

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

Council considered a report by the Leader to agree the council tax reduction scheme for 2023/24.

The Cabinet Member Finance, Corporate Services and Planning proposed the council tax reduction scheme for 2023/24 and introduced the report.

The Leader seconded the council tax reduction scheme for 2023/24 for approval.

Council debated the report.

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

FOR (47): Councillors Graham Andrews, Paul Andrews, Polly Andrews, Bartlett, Bartrum, Bolderson, Boulter, Bowen, Bowes, Chowns, Crockett, Clare Davies, Gemma Davies, Durkin, Fagan, Foxton, Gandy, Guthrie, Hardwick, Harrington, Harvey, Hey, Hitchiner, I’Anson, James, Graham Jones, Mike Jones, Kenyon, Lester, Marsh, Matthews, Millmore, Milln, Norman, Price, Probert, 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 2023/24, with the same parameters as the existing scheme, be approved.

To approve the capital investment budget and capital strategy for 2023/24 onwards.

Council considered a report by the Leader to approve the 2023/24 capital investment budget and capital strategy update.

The Cabinet Member Finance, Corporate Services and Planning moved the report and proposed the recommendations.

The Leader seconded the report and the recommendations.

Council debated the report and the following actions were raised:

·         To provide a written response regarding potential delays to the capitalisation of projects in the capital programme and the impact on the revenue budget;

·         To provide a written response with detail of the number of rough sleepers currently in Herefordshire.

The 2023/24 capital investment budget and capital strategy update was put to the recorded vote and carried unanimously.

FOR (47): Councillors Graham Andrews, Paul Andrews, Polly Andrews, Bartlett, Bartrum, Bolderson, Boulter, Bowen, Bowes, Chowns, Crockett, Clare Davies, Gemma Davies, Durkin, Fagan, Foxton, Gandy, Guthrie, Hardwick, Harrington, Harvey, Hey, Hitchiner, I’Anson, James, Graham Jones, Mike Jones, Kenyon, Lester, Marsh, Matthews, Millmore, Milln, Norman, Price, Probert, Shaw, Stark, Stone, Summers, Swinglehurst, Symonds, Tillett, Toynbee, Tyler, Watson and Wilding.

Against (0)

Abstentions (0)

RESOLVED:

That Council:

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

b) Approve the capital strategy at appendix D.

To approve the 2023/24 budget and associated Medium Term Financial Strategy, Treasury Management Strategy and Minimum Revenue Provision.

Council considered a report from the Leader to set the 2023/24 budget. Council noted the following supplements published following the despatch of the agenda:

·         Budget Council meeting procedure 2023 published on 3 February;

·         Addition of recommendation to the 2023/24 Budget Setting report published on 9 February [ j) the additional government grant of £680k confirmed in the final local government settlement announced on the 6th of February to fund:

-       £480k For Phosphate Commission to deliver a robust process to achieve scientific, legal and regulatory certainty on river restoration and achieve earliest lifting of the Lugg catchment development moratorium; and

-       £200k For parish grants to fund PROW ( Public Rights of Way) structures (bridges, gates, styles, etc.) installation, in liaison with Herefordshire Council’s PROW team];

·         Budget amendments 2023/24 published on 9 February; and

·         Additional S25 opinion of the S151 officer following the publication of budget amendments published on 9 February.

The Cabinet Member Finance, Corporate Services and Planning introduced the report and moved the budget.

The Leader seconded the report and the budget.

Councillor Ellie Chowns, as Group Leader of The Green Party Group spoke on the budget.

Councillor Bob Matthews, as Group Leader of the True Independents Group spoke on the budget. Councillor Matthews confirmed the withdrawal of his budget amendment.

Council debated the budget.

Councillor John Harrington, as Group Leader of the Independents for Herefordshire Group spoke on the budget.

Councillor Terry James, as Group Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group spoke on the budget.

The Cabinet Member Finance, Corporate Services and Planning closed the debate.

(There was an adjournment at 12:30 p.m.; the meeting reconvened at 12:44 p.m.)

Amendment 1 – Proposed by Councillor Nigel Shaw and seconded by Councillor Jonathan Lester

Extra Funding for Rural Roads and Herefordshire Athletics

This amendment seeks to allocate the additional £611,909 Rural Services Delivery Grant to the Highways Capital Investment Budget within the capital budget. This sum to be effectively “ring –fenced” to be spent on u and c rural roads in recognition of the source of the funding. The aim will be to support the extra cost of delivering services across rural areas by improving the road infrastructure which is so necessary for service delivery.

The amendment also seeks to match the funding allocated by Hereford City Council to support the refurbishment of Herefordshire’s County Athletics track, to retain a quality facility to the benefit of those living in the whole county.

Currently this funding is being allocated to the general reserve. To put this money in reserves would send the wrong message to civil servants and the HM Treasury, namely that Herefordshire doesn’t need the funding.

Councillor Shaw proposed the amendment.

Councillor Lester seconded the amendment.

Council debated the amendment.

The Cabinet Member Finance, Corporate Services and Planning, as the mover of the original motion, spoke before the vote on the amendment.

The amendment was put to the recorded vote and was lost by a simple majority.

FOR (21): Councillors Polly Andrews, Bartrum, Bolderson, Clare Davies, Durkin,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 56.

To approve the pay policy statement 2023-2024 for publication.

Council considered a report by the Chairperson of the Employment Panel to approve the pay policy statement for 2023 – 2024.

The report and recommendation was moved by the Leader (as chairperson of the employment panel) and seconded by the Cabinet Member for Environment and Economy (as vice-chairperson of the employment panel).

The pay policy statement was put to the vote and approved by a simple majority.

RESOLVED – That:

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

To approve the addition of one venue to our current scheme of polling district, polling places and polling stations.

Council considered a report by the Returning Officer to approve the addition of one new polling station.

Councillor Sebastian Bowen proposed the recommendations in the report. Councillor Barry Durkin seconded the recommendations in the report.

The recommendations in the report were put to the vote and were carried unanimously.

RESOLVED:

That:

a) The Marden Community Centre which is no longer available for use is closed, and

b) Council agrees that the Marden Links Community Hub, Walker Green Marden, Hereford, HR1 3DN station be approved.