Agenda, decisions and minutes

Received from Councillor Rowena Champion.

None.

            CONFIRMED as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 13 October 2022 be confirmed as an accurate record of proceedings and the Chair be authorised to sign them.

AGREED RECOMMENDATIONS

Reasons for the decision – as detailed in the report

Other options considered – none

Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted – none

RESOLVED:

(a) To note the breakdown of the forecast General Fund outturn by individual variance at Appendix 1 and by service area at Appendix 2 of the report of the Executive Member for Finance, Planning and Performance .

(b) To note the transformation fund allocations and anticipated, profiled drawdowns for 2022/23 and that an additional allocation of £0.070m against the Transformation Fund for the People Friendly Streets programme be approved

(c) To note the collection fund monitoring position at month 6.

(d) To note the Energy Price Analysis position at month 6.

(e) To note the forecast 2022/23 HRA estimated outturn (+£4.552m) deficit at

month 6. 

(f). To note that, at the end of month 5, capital expenditure of £60.079m had been incurred against a 2022/23 full year forecast of £174.827m and against the revised 2022/23 capital budget of £239.655m.

(g) To agree capital slippage of £64.328m to future financial years and to note that there was a risk of further slippage over the remainder of the financial year.

Reason for decisions - to ensure the financial resilience of the Council

Other options considered – none

Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted – none

AGREED RECOMMENDATION

Reasons for the decision - as specified in the report

Other options considered – a wide range of options was considered

Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted – none

RESOLVED:

That the fees and charges policy and the General Fund fees and charges detailed at Appendix A1-5 of the report of the  Executive Member for Finance, Planning and Performance be approved.

Reasons for the decision - in-year increases to fees and charges across a variety of General Fund functions were required due to the context of significantly high inflation and the resultant increased costs of service provision to support the delivery of Council services.

Other options considered – a wide range of options were considered

Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted – none

AGREED RECOMMENDATIONS

Reasons for the decision – as detailed in the report

Other options considered – none

Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted – none

RESOLVED:

(a)  That the Treasury Mid-Year Review, detailed in the report of the Executive Member for Finance, Planning and Performance, be noted

(b) That the prudential indicator breach, also detailed in the report, be noted.

Reasons for the decision – Approving treasury management semi-annual and annual reports was a requirement of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy’s Treasury Management in the Public Services: Code of Practice

Other options considered – none

Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted – none

AGREED RECOMMENDATIONS

Reasons for the decision – as detailed in the report

Other options considered – an open tender process will be utilised

Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted – none

RESOLVED:

(a) That the procurement strategy and timetable for the following insurance policies, as detailed in the report of the Executive Member for Finance, Planning and Performance, be approved:

·       Motor

·       Leaseholder buildings

·       Commercial property insurance  

·       Engineering inspection services

·       Crime  

·       Personal accident and school travel insurance

(b) That the Corporate Director of Resources be authorised to approve the contracts.

Reasons for the decision –  The new contracts would ensure that there was no break in the provision of these insurances for the Council.

Other options considered – The Council was looking to procure the insurance policies listed through the Insurance London Consortium for the period 2023-2028.

Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted – none

AGREED RECOMMENDATION

Reasons for the decision – as detailed in the report

Other options considered – as detailed in the report

Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted – none

The report was introduced by the Executive Member for Homes and Communities.

RESOLVED:

That the Corporate Director for Community Wealth Building be authorised to enter into an agreement for the lease and subsequent lease of the freehold of an ex-car park under one of its housing schemes on Skinner Street in Clerkenwell which, subject to the grant of planning consent, was to be used for self storage, on the terms set out in exempt Appendix 1, together with delegation to amend any such reasonable matters during the completion of the necessary paperwork.

Reasons for the decision

To generate substantial long-term income for the HRA from non-operational property assets for reinvestment in social housing and to create opportunities to support both residents and the local business community with storage opportunities in the vicinity.

Other options considered – as detailed in the report

Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted – none

AGREED RECOMMENDATION

Reasons for the decision – as detailed in the report

Other options considered – none

Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted – none

A number of members of the public attended to ask questions about the Council’s Low Traffic Neighbourhoods. As the questions were not directly relevant to the agenda item under discussion, the Leader asked officers to arrange to meet with the attendees to discuss their concerns.

RESOLVED:

That the Islington Active Together Strategy and its action plan, attached to the report of the Executive Member for Health and Social Care, be adopted.

Reasons for the decision – to reduce health inequalities and improve health and wellbeing. The Strategy was an important feature of the Council’s post-Covid-19 recovery and contributed to tackling the cost-of-living crisis.

Other options considered – as detailed in the report

Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted – none

Noted

Noted