Agenda and minutes

To approve as correct the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 17^th October 2018

(Note: If any Member wishes to propose an amendment to the minutes they should submit this in writing to committeeservices@horsham.gov.uk at least 24 hours before the meeting.  Where applicable, the audio recording of the meeting will be checked to ensure the accuracy of the proposed amendment.)

The minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 17^th October 2018 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive any declarations of interest from Members

There were no declarations of interest.

To receive any announcements from the Chairman of the Council, the Leader, Members of the Cabinet or the Chief Executive

The Chairman reported that he had hosted a lunch for staff on 4^th December.  He expressed his thanks to the staff who had helped organise the event and the caterers for the excellent food.

The Chairman also reminded Members that the Carol Service would take place at 5.00pm on 9^th December 2018 at St Mary’s Church, Horsham.

The Cabinet Member for Planning and Development advised that a few months ago the Government had produced a standard method for local planning authorities to use in calculating their housing requirements.  The formula used projections prepared by the Office for National Statistics in 2016 for the number of households in each local authority area.  New figures for household projections had now been produced by the Office for National Statistics which were lower than the 2016 figures and would result in lower housing targets.

The Government had recently published a consultation asking a number of questions on minor technical changes to the National Planning Policy Framework 2.  Two significant questions in this consultation related to whether local planning authorities should still use the higher 2016 household projections figures.  The Cabinet Member had agreed that the Council’s response on this point should be no and that all local planning authorities should use the most up-to-date evidence in preparing their plans.

The Cabinet Member for Leisure and Culture reminded Members that the official launch of the Horsham District Year of Culture would take place from 3.00pm to 5.00pm on Saturday 5^th January 2019 in Horsham Park’s sensory garden.  So far approximately 250 events were planned for the year with more being added all the time.

To receive questions from the public under Rules 4a.2(f) and 4a.8-18

No questions relevant to the business of the meeting had been received.

To receive the recommendation from the meeting of Cabinet held on 22^nd November 2018 on the Medium Term Financial Strategy 2019/20 to 2022/23 – report available online at: Cabinet_agenda_22_November_2018

Medium Term Financial Strategy 2019/20 to 2022/23

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Assets reported that the review of the Financial Strategy, as part of the budget setting process, enabled a balanced financial position to be projected by including an affordable level of Council Tax. This would allow delivery of the corporate priorities and policies of the Council and the continued enhancement of value for money and satisfaction with services for the residents of the District.

The 2018/19 Budget had been approved in February 2018 and small budget surpluses were projected for 2019/20 and 2020/21, with projected deficits in 2021/22 and 2022/23. Since then, the Council had been working further on income generation, continuing the business transformation journey to the next stage and other efficiency measures to mitigate against cost pressures that continued to rise.

The Cabinet report set out the proposed strategy for the period 2019/20 to 2022/23 to establish the context for the Council’s budget and medium term financial planning scenarios and assumptions. This had been done in the context of high levels of uncertainty for the future in respect of business rates and the Fair Funding Review.

Cabinet had supported the proposed Medium Term Financial Strategy, noting that the proposals were prudent and preserved the continued delivery of services valued by residents.  Council was therefore asked to approve the strategy.

RESOLVED

(i)         That the Medium Term Financial Strategy 2019/20 to 2022/23 be approved.

(ii)        That the projected balanced budgets and budget gap as detailed in the report be noted.

To receive reports from representatives on outside bodies

None.

To receive the report of the Head of Environmental Health and Licensing

The Chairman of the Licensing Committee reported that the Gambling Act 2005 currently required Licensing Authorities to publish at least every three years a statement of their Gambling Licensing Policy.  The Council’s current Policy had come into force on 31^st December 2015 and a new policy therefore had to be adopted to come into force by 31^st December 2018.

At its meeting on 7^th June 2018 the Licensing Committee had approved a draft Gambling Licensing Policy for consultation. The period of consultation ran until the 18^th September 2018.

As the Council had not received any representations, Council was recommended to adopt the Gambling Licensing Policy as submitted.

            RESOLVED

            That the Gambling Licensing Policy be approved as submitted as Council policy.

            REASONS

            (i)         To comply with legislative requirements.

(ii)        To ensure openness and transparency in the Council’s decision making.

To receive the report of the Head of Environmental Health and Licensing

The Chairman of the Licensing Committee reported that the Licensing Act 2003 currently required Licensing Authorities to publish at least every five years a statement of their Licensing Policy.  The Council’s current Policy had come into force on 31^st January 2014 and a new policy therefore had to be adopted to come into force by 31^st January 2019.

At its meeting on 7^th June 2018 the Licensing Committee had approved a draft Licensing Policy for consultation. The period of consultation ran until the 18^th September 2018.

As the Council had not received any representations, Council was recommended to adopt the Licensing Policy as submitted, subject to the correction of a few minor typographical errors as reported.

            RESOLVED

            That the Licensing Policy be approved as submitted as Council policy.

            REASONS

            (i)         To comply with legislative requirements.

(ii)        To ensure openness and transparency in the Council’s decision making.

To receive questions from Members under Rules 4a.20(b)-25

No questions had been received.

To consider matters certified by the Chairman as urgent

There was no urgent business.