Decisions

RESOLVED

i)          To approve the direction of the Community Link Service to move its technology to digital to continue operating in the field.

ii)         To waive paragraphs 15.1 b and 16.2 of the Procurement Code to allow a change to the existing contract with ChipTech.

iii)        To award a contract extension to the contract with the ChipTech for the provision of the Community Link technology equipment provided by ChipTech.

iv)        To note the changes to the Community Link Service and charges are included in the Budget for approval by Council on 9 February.

REASON

i)        The national switch to digital technology by the telecommunications industry as required by Government policy necessitates investment in the digital transformation of the Community Link Alarm Service in order to continue to provide this service.

RESOLVED to recommend to Council

i)        Approve the publication of the Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Transparency Statement as attached at Appendix A to the Cabinet report.

ii)       Delegate authority to the Leader of the Council in consultation with the Director of Corporate Resources and the Head of Legal & Democratic Services to approve minor amendments and subsequent annual statements for publication.

REASON

i)        The adoption and publication of a Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking statement is considered best practice and is likely to become a statutory requirement within the next 12 months.

ii)       The approval of the statement shows the commitment of Horsham District Council to tackle modern day slavery in the community and its supply chains, it also supports the principles set out in the Sustainable Procurement Charter which is used within our procurement processes.

RESOLVED

i)          To agree to secure the provision of the internal audit service through a local authority partnership with East Sussex County Council for 5 years from 1 April 2022.

ii)         To delegate to the Director of Corporate Services the negotiations to finalise the legal documentation with East Sussex County Council in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and the Monitoring Officer.

REASON

i)       The new agreement retains the current good quality service with price £20,000 lower for each year and no risk or costs of change.

RESOLVED

i)        To approve the award of the contract for Fit and Supply of Tyres to the highest scoring bidder, on the terms recommended, as detailed in Appendix 1 (exempt);

ii)       To delegate authority to the Director of Community Services in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Recycling & Waste to approve the award the Traffic Management Contract following the conclusion of the tender process; and

iii)      To delegate authority to the Director of Community Services in consultation with the Head of Legal & Democratic Services to finalise terms and conditions and to enter into contract with the highest scoring bidder for the Tyres contract and Traffic Management contract.

REASON

i)        Under the current Public Contracts Regulations (2015) the Council is legally required to competitively tender if the value of the goods or services exceeds the current threshold of £189,330. Horsham District Council currently spends £45,000 per annum on tyres and associated services, and averages c. £80,000 per annum for traffic management services. Both contracts therefore exceed this threshold over the contract term.

ii)       The Council has not competitively procured either of these contracts previously but do have long standing agreements in place with suppliers. Both contracts are therefore to be brought into compliance, and to formalise the relevant contract management arrangements.

RESOLVED

i)          To approve the award of the Horsham Park Skate Park contract to the highest scoring bidder, on the terms recommended, as detailed in Appendix 1 (exempt).

ii)       To delegate authority to the Director of Community Services in consultation with the Head of Legal & Democratic Services to finalise terms and conditions and to enter into the contract with the highest scoring bidder.

REASON

In accordance with Horsham District Council’s Procurement Code.

RESOLVED to Recommend to Council

i)        That the level of Council Tax for 2022/23 increases from £157.52 by £4.57 (2.9%) to £162.09 at Band D.

ii)       That the net revenue budget set out in Appendix A for 2022/23 of £12.188mis approved.

iii)      That Special Expenses of £323,330 set out in Appendix C and a Band D charge of £26.83 are agreed in respect of the unparished area for 2022/23. 

iv)      That the capital programme for 2022/23 set out in Appendix D be approved and that the indicative capital budgets in the programme for future years be noted.

v)      That the projected future budgets on the revenue account in 2023/24 to 2025/26 are noted and the Medium-Term Financial Strategy continues to be reviewed and refined to ensure that decisions are taken to set balanced budgets in these three years.

vi)      That the Minimum Revenue Provision Statement set out in Appendix E is approved.

vii)     That the Capital Strategy, Treasury Strategy, Investment Strategy and prudential indicators and limits for 2021/22 to 2024/25 set out in Appendix F are approved.

viii)    To note the statement on the robustness of the level of reserves in Appendix H.

ix)      That the increases to fees and charges set out in Appendix I and I(i) and I(ii) are approved.

 x)     Delegate to the Director of Community Services in consultation with the relevant Cabinet lead temporary changes to fees and charges in the form of offers and incentives during the year, as well as the setting of charges for sports development activities as all offerings are being revised and will take account of variable costs such as facility hire and coaching rates.

REASON

To meet the Council’s statutory requirement to approve the budget and the prudential indicators before the start of a new financial year.

RESOLVED to recommend to Council

To approve the Discretional Rate Relief scheme for 2022/23 as detailed in the appendix to the Cabinet report

REASON

i)        Discretionary rate relief is an annual scheme and therefore require an annual review and approval.

ii)       The increase in the level of rate relief to 100% will provide additional support for charitable and not for profit organisations.

RESOLVED to recommend to Council

To agree to no changes in the Council Tax Reduction scheme for 2022/23.

REASON

Council Tax Reduction schemes are annual schemes and therefore require an annual review and approval, even when no changes to the scheme are being proposed.  Review work on the scheme showed the scheme remains affordable for Horsham District Council and provides a good level of support to our less well-off residents.