Decisions

This report updated Cabinet on the Council’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic situation and outlined possible proposals for economic recovery.

Cabinet

            RESOLVED

            That the actions taken to date be noted.

The Overview Select Committee on 6 October 2021 was presetned with the 2020 Residents’ Satisfaction Survey report.  Following debate, a Member Working Party was established to review the method used for carrying out the survey and in particular how a wider response rate could be achieved.  This report set out the background to the survey; the issues discussed by the Working Party; and recommendations to the Overview Select Committee on 26 January 2021.

The recommendation from the Overview Select Committee from its meeting held on 26 January 2021 – Minute 438 – were presented to Cabinet for approval.

The Cabinet

            RESOLVED – That

(1)  The Council carries out its 2021 Residents’ Satisfaction Survey using methods identified by the Working Party to improve participation across age groups which can be implemented within budget, these being:

a)    Increase number of surveys, potentially offestting this cost by not sending out follow up letters, numbers to be determined with the survey provider;

b)    Carry out an open online survey alongside the targeted survey;

c)    Explore options for incentives for survey completion to be vouchers for local businesses;

d)    Explore options for invitations to participate being sent in a more appealing format;

e)    Carry out an additional sample geographically targeted survey to target younger respondents

(2)  Delegated authority be given to the Group Head of Policy to work with the Council’s chosen provider to deliver the most representative survey for 2021, within existing budgets based on the recommendations of the Residents’ Satisfaction Survey Working Party and in consultation with the Chairman of the Working Party; and

(3)  The effectiveness of the changed methodology be reviwed in the 2021 survey report and developed for future years.

To authorise entering into a contract with LASER Framework Agreement for the procurement and managed service of electricity to the Council’s corporate and residential sites.

The Cabinet

            RESOLVED – That

(1)  The appointment of LASER for a new electricity supplier by running a Mini-Competition from an existing Framework Agreement be approved;

(2)  LASER be approved for the managing of the resulting contract with the supplier on behalf of the Council;

(3)  Following the initial contract, set up with a new supplier of 12 month fixed period, and to approve the continued appointment of LASER to negotiate an Evergreen contract for the year on year supply of electric rather than repeating the tender and appointment process every few years;

(4)  Approve the supply contract for an Evergreen Period via LASER; renewable energy 12 months following the initial 12 month fixed rate agreement period; and

(5)  Delegated authority be given to the Group Head of Corporate Support to enter into the necessary contracts.

The Budget Monitoring Report sets out the Capital, Housing Revenue and General Fund Revenue Budget performance to the end of December 2020.

The Cabinet

            RESOLVED – That

(1)  The report in Appendix 1 be noted;

(2)  A transfer to earmarked reserves of £7.865 m for s31 Grant received in 2020/21 and £1.326m for in year Collection Fund losses be approved; and

(3)  The action taken to mitigate the Council’s net expenditure due to the Covid-19 pandemic be noted.

In accordance with the provisions of the Officer Scheme of Delegation in the Council’s Constitution, this report updates the Cabinet on a decision taken by Officers to incur expenditure or take urgent action in response to the Coronavirus emergency.

This has been included as an urgent item as the report was not prepared ahead of the agenda preparation timetable and this is the first opportunity to report the decision taken in line with the Council’s Constitution.

To make available upon request a rent deferral scheme, in line with my delegated authority in connection with the peacetime emergency of the Covid 19 pandemic.

For SMEs* within the retail, leisure and hospitality sectors that rent premises from Arun District Council, we will upon request make available a facility to defer the payments of rent invoiced during January, February and March 2021. Acceptance of the offer would entail agreeing to a repayment plan with repayments at quarterly intervals between July 2021 and March 2022.

* We are to use a definition of small and medium-sized enterprises, (SMEs) for this purpose are defined as enterprises which: have fewer than 250 employees, and have either, an annual turnover not exceeding EUR 40 million, or an annual balance-sheet total not exceeding EUR 27 million (reference COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 70/2001 (Annex I)).

It does not extend to invoices sent in or prior to December 2020. The scope of this decision does not extend to collection of service charges which will continue as normal.

If all eligible businesses were to exercise the facility it would delay income of approx. £120K.

There is a risk of businesses failing before they are able to make the repayments. The risk of businesses failing would also exist, and may be increased, if no rent deferral facility were made available.

The Cabinet

            RESOLVED 

            The report be noted and the actions taken by Officers supported.