Agenda item

Cabinet - 9 December 2019

The Chairman, Councillor Dr Walsh, will present the Minutes from the meeting of Cabinet held on 9 December 2019.

 

The Minutes will be circulated separately and any recommendations will be reported to the meeting.

Minutes:

            The Chairman, Councillor Dr Walsh, presented the Minutes from the meeting of the Cabinet held on 9 December 2019, which had been circulated separately to the agenda.

 

            Councillor Dr Walsh alerted Members to the first of three sets of recommendations at Minute 328 [Digital Strategy 2020–2025] which was asking the Council to adopt the Digital Strategy covering the 5 years.  Councillor Dr Walsh duly proposed the recommendations which were then seconded by Councillor Stanley.

 

            The Council

 

                        RESOLVED – That

 

(1)          The Digital Strategy is adopted; and 

 

(2)          The Group Head of Corporate Support is given delegated authority to make any necessary consequential changes to the Digital Strategy as a result of new legislation or alternative working practices.

 

            Councillor Dr Walsh then drew Members’ attention to the next recommendation at Minute 337 [Supplementary Estimate for Nightly Paid Accommodation to meet the Council’s Statutory Homeless Duties] which he stated was regretfully required as a result of increasing pressure put on the Council’s homeless services and that this had been aided and abetted by West Sussex County Council’s decision last year to reduce subsidies to homeless charities.  Councillor Dr Walsh formally proposed the recommendation which was seconded by Councillor Mrs Gregory.

 

            The Council

 

                        RESOLVED

 

That a supplementary estimate of £500k next expenditure (equivalent to Band D Council Tax of £8.16) to support expenditure on nightly paid accommodation to meet the Council’s statutory homeless duties be approved.

 

            Councillor Dr Walsh then presented the next three recommendations at Minute 338 [Modernisation of the Housing Service] which he formally proposed.  This recommendation was seconded by Councillor Mrs Gregory.

 

            The Council

 

                        RESOLVED – That

 

(1)          A general fund supplementary estimate of up to £172k (which equates to a Band D equivalent of £2.81) for the potential redundancy and pensions strain costs to meet the Council’s statutory homelessness duties, which will result in growth to the base budget of up to £260k (which equates to a Band D equivalent £4.26) be approved;

(2)          A housing revenue account supplementary estimate of £249k (which equates to a weekly rent of £1.69 per dwelling) for the potential redundancy and pension strain costs associated with the Housing Revenue Account, which will result in growth to the base budget of up to £67lk (which equates to a weekly rent of £0.39 per dwelling) be approved; and

(3)          The competency Framework “Arun Cares” which was introduced in September 2018 setting out expectations for service delivery (as set out in Appendix One to the report) be noted.

            Finally, Councillor Dr Walsh alerted Members to Minute 341 [Environment & Leisure Working Group – 7 November 2019 – Minute 12 – Climate Change and stated that it was necessary for Full Council to also support the recommendations agreed.  Councillor Dr Walsh then formally proposed these recommendations which were then seconded by Councillor Purchese.

 

            The Council

 

                        RESOLVED – That

 

(1)  Arun declare a Climate Emergency;

 

(2)          The impact and mitigation of climate change be considered and incorporated into all Policies and key decision making; and

 

(3)          Officers work through the Environment & Leisure Working Group to produce an action plan with milestones to make the activities of Arun District Council carbon neutral by 2030.

 

 

Supporting documents: