Subject to the addition of Councillor Nick Emmerson’s name in the list of those present at the meeting, the Minutes of the meeting held on 14 January 2013 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Anisha Callaghan, Monica Coleman, Peter Geiringer, Bruce Glithero, Marlene Heron, Lester Holloway, Gerry Jerome, Janet Lowne, Roger Roberts, and Stan Theed.  Apologies were also received from Councillor Graham Tope for his late arrival

(i)         Community Leadership Awards

The Mayor reported that the Community Leadership awards were held on 28 February 2013 when over 200 people, including scores of Games Makers, had enjoyed an inspirational and moving evening.  Five individual winners were honoured for the tremendous work they had done in the borough though every one of the almost 200 nominees had deserved an award.

(ii)        Westcroft Leisure Centre

The Mayor reported that on Wednesday 27 February, he along with the paralympian athlete David Weir and others officially opened the newly-refurbished Westcroft Leisure Centre.  He had thanked everyone who had worked so hard to create the fabulous new facility which had already become a firm favourite with people across the borough.  He expressed the view that it would provide the perfect venue for fitness and fun for many years to come.

(iii)       National Libraries Day

The Mayor reminded everyone that Saturday 9 February had been National Libraries Day.  Sutton’s eight libraries had responded to the challenge to show what they could offer.  Each Library had hosted special events and remained a central part of life in the borough.”

(iv)      Brazilian Carnival Dinner Dance

The Mayor thanked everyone who had supported his Brazilian Carnival Dinner Dance held at The Grange, Beddington Park, to raise funds for the Sutton Mental Health Foundation.  The Del Toro Dance School had provided outstanding cabaret entertainment and everyone had a very enjoyable evening.  He also thanked Councillor Moira Butt who had taken the lead in organising this event. 

(v)       I Love Roundshaw Week

The Mayor reported that “I Love Roundshaw” week had started on 11 February.  The week had featured a series of exciting events which had provided advice, support and information on a dizzying range of subjects. Residents had talked about health issues, accessed jobs information, got their bikes security marked and even had their dogs micro-chipped.  Dancing and a Valentine’s bingo had also been organised at this very well supported community event.”

No declarations of interests or community charge or council tax liabilities were declared.

7.10pm

One member of the public asked two questions and supplementary questions and received replies as set out in Appendix A to these Minutes.

Six Councillors asked eight questions and supplementary questions and received replies as set out in Appendix B to these Minutes.

Councillor John Keys submitted a petition signed by 432 persons in the following terms:

            “In a coalition of betrayal, Tory Croydon Council and the Sutton Liberals held secret meetings to cover up their plans to build a Croydon incinerator.  The potential damage to the environment and health of Croydon is unimaginable.  Despite the Conservative Waddon Councillors promising that no incinerator would be built here.  Campaigners argue incinerating waste could be harmful for the environment as well as the health of residents.”

The petition was referred to the appropriate Committee for consideration and report.

Councillor Tony Shields submitted a petition signed by 23 persons in the following terms:

            “As a Licensed Taxi driver I would like to register my opposition to any alteration to the current passenger pick up arrangements at Sutton Station and will actively oppose any move to replace the Mulgrave Road taxi rank to the rear of Sutton Station, The Quadrant.”

The petition was referred to the Environment and Neighbourhood Committee for consideration and report.

To appoint the following persons to serve on the Health and Wellbeing Board until the annual meeting of the Council in May 2013

The following persons were appointed to serve on the Health and Wellbeing Board until the annual meeting of the Council in May 2013:

(i)             To appoint David Harris, (substitute – Valerie Grant) as Community Representatives representing the Friends of Collingwood Recreation Ground on the Sutton Local Committee until the annual Council meeting in May 2013

(ii)  Subject to the agreement of Sutton Local Committee on 5 March 2013, to appoint Gabrielle Andrews (substitute Peter Scouse) as Community Representatives representing Friends of Sutton Green until the annual meeting of the Council in May 2013.

Resolved:  (i) To appoint David Harris, (substitute – Valerie Grant) as Community Representatives representing the Friends of Collingwood Recreation Ground on the Sutton Local Committee until the annual Council meeting in May 2013

(ii)  Subject to the agreement of Sutton Local Committee on 5 March 2013, to appoint Gabrielle Andrews (substitute Peter Scouse) as Community Representatives representing Friends of Sutton Green until the annual meeting of the Council in May 2013.

7.55pm

To receive and consider the following recommendations of Committees.

To agree the Council’s revenue budget and the level of Council Tax, the Housing Revenue Account budget, the Treasury Management Strategy for 2013/14 and the capital programme for 2013/14 to 2016/17

The Committee considered the report of the Strategic Director of Resources and Executive Head of Policy and Customer Service which set out the Council’s annual business and financial plan for 2013/14 and sought approval for the Council’s medium term financial strategy to 2016/17.  The report also set out the formal budget setting process for 2013/14 including the latest position on the Greater London Authority precept and recommended a level of Council Tax.

Members were reminded of the key priorities for 2013/14 which were consistent with the Council’s longer term corporate plan.  Details of the provisional grant settlement which had been announced in December 2012 were reported.  The final settlement figure had not been announced in time for inclusion in the report.  It was noted that this was the first settlement under the new complex Business Rate Retention scheme.  The Government had stated that there would be no further reduction in total local government funding in 2013/14 though reductions that had previously been announced would be implemented.  This would result in an overall 4% reduction in aggregate local government funding across England.  The Government also intended to hold back a further £1bn to finance specific features of the new system, details of which were reported.  It was noted that the grant distribution was now based on the 2011 census figures and there had been some technical changes to the distribution formula.  The effects that this would have on the amount of money received by this authority was reported.

The forecast financial outturn for 2012/13 was reported.  A net underspend of £3,515k was expected to result part of which would be used to fund one-off growth items in 2013/14 which were reported.  It was noted that levies from the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, London Pension Fund Authority and the Environment Agency, had yet to be received.  Draft estimates had allowed for a 2% increase in these levies in line with the general provision for price inflation but because of significant changes in the tax base calculations and the fact that those bodies were also making savings, there was some uncertainty about the final amounts.   A number of budget variations were proposed for 2013/14 details of which were reported as well as savings that would be achieved as a result of the Smarter Services Sutton programme and other specific expenditure.

A general provision of 2% for price inflation had been allowed together with 1% for pay in line with the government’s public sector pay policy.  Details of investment and growth items which totalled £1.731m together with other proposed one-off changes and variations which amounted to £541k were reported.  Savings from the Smarter Services Sutton programme of £32.401m that were scheduled to be achieved by 2014/15 were also reported. 

Details of the Housing Revenue Account (HRA  ...  view the full agenda text for item 216a

Councillor Ruth Dombey moved the reception of the recommendations in Minute 167/13 as amended by an update report that had been circulated to Councillors.

Councillor Ruth Dombey also moved the suspension of Standing Order 13.1 to enable all Councillors to speak for up to five minutes each on this item and one Councillor from each party group to speak for up to 15 minutes each.

            Resolved: That Standing Order 13.1 be suspended whilst the recommendations in Minute 167/13 are discussed.

Councillor Simon Wales spoke for up to 15 minutes.

Councillor Tim Crowley spoke for up to 15 minute and moved the following amendment which was seconded by Councillor Eric Allen:

            Add new recommendation as follows

(xv) This council agrees to change its council tax collection policy so that when the letters of collection are distributed to households they show as a matter of course the council tax being collected over 12 monthly instalments rather than 10. This to be the default position rather than households having to make a request for this plan. If households still wish to pay over 10 months then they may do so by notifying the council by April 7th 2013.

Following debate, the amendment moved by Councillor Tim Crowley on being put to the vote by a show of hands, was lost.

The recommendations contained in Minute 167/13 as altered by the revised recommendations set out in the update report on being put to the vote by a show of hands were adopted as follows:

Commissioning Intentions

(i)  To agree the commissioning intentions set out in appendix A to the update report circulated for the Council meeting;

Revenue Budget

(ii)  To agree the proposed General Fund net budget requirement of £155.181m summarised in appendix B in the update report circulated for the Council meeting

(iii)  To agree the investment and growth items totalling £2.731m (recurrent items) and £2.541m (one-off items) in 2013/14 summarised in appendix C in the update report circulated for the Council meeting;

(iv)  To agree the other proposed changes and variations summarised in appendix C in the update report circulated for the Council meeting;

(v)  To agree to delegate to the Strategic Director – Adult Social Services, Housing and Health authority to finalise the details of the agreement with the NHS Commissioning Board for the transfer of the Social Care Grant funding in consultation with partners through the Health and Wellbeing Board;

(vi)  To agree the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) budget 2013/14 (appendix E in the report to Strategy and Resources Committee on 11 February 2013) and note the average rent increase of 4.9% and service charge increases approved by the Housing, Economy and Business Committee on 29 January 2013 (Minute 113/13 refers);

Capital Programme

(vii)  To approve the revised capital programme for 2013/14 to 2016/17 with a total spend of £215.7m, including the proposed funding arrangements, as set out in section 5 and Appendix F of the report to Strategy and Resources  ...  view the full minutes text for item 216a

The Committee considered a report which outlined eight projects that had been identified as schemes which could receive Heritage Lottery Funding (HLF) if applications were made.  The total value of the eight projects if they were all accepted by the HLF would be £4.8m investment for the London Borough of Sutton, for which the council would only need to provide 10% in match funding.

The two largest proposed schemes would be for Whitehall in Cheam involving £1.1m investment by HLF and Beddington Park involving £3m investment from HLF, but there were also six smaller schemes which made up the remaining £700k in bids. 

There had been recent investment by the HLF in Honeywood of £750k, and the HLF was keen that Sutton should apply as one of the Boroughs receiving the lowest amounts in HLF funding in London.  It was pointed out that HLF funding represented very good value for money to make improvements to our heritage.

Councillor Graham Tope explained to the Committee that 10% match funding was a very good deal because the percentage or match funding required was normally higher and there were no revenue implications.  It would be a one-off capital sum with no on-going costs.  It would be 4-6 months before the outcome of any bids would be known. 

Councillor Tony Shields was concerned that the wrong message would be sent to residents if these proposals went ahead as the Council was cutting back on its spending and questioned where the Council would get the required £500k if these were approved.  The Head of Business Data and Reporting reported that £500k match funding had already been allocated in the Council's Capital budget under Environment and Neighbourhoods.

Councillor Roger Roberts pointed out that the project to fund preservation of original glass plate negatives was a nationally important one, and that these were a significant part of Sutton's Heritage.

Resolved: That the eight schemes outlined in the report be submitted to the Heritage Lottery Fund for funding, subject to a Capital financial allocation by the Council and other planning or environmental considerations that may arise.

Councillor Tony Shields voted against the recommendation and Councillor Eric Allen abstained.

Written Notice having been received from four Councillors under Standing Order 23.4 requiring the decision of the Council to be taken on the grounds that there was a lack of explanation of money to sustain £500k of investment and asking that the Council should seek a reduction of some or all of the costs to the Council.

            RECOMMENDED: for consideration by the Council.

Councillor Jill Whitehead moved the reception of Minute 63/13 from the meeting of the Environment and Neighbourhood Committee held on 17 January 2013.

Councillor Jonathan Pritchard moved and Councillor Graham Whitham seconded the following amendment

“Renumber existing recommendation as (i)

ADD NEW RECOMMENDATIONS

(ii)  A report be prepared for the Environment and Neighbourhood Committee detailing potential candidates for any future HLF bid which could be drawn from the Councils own local list and also other buildings, not on the list, that the Council is aware of as being deemed at risk. 

(iii) A report to be submitted to the Environment and Neighbourhood Committee and any other relevant Committee, covering the potential for local businesses to develop the necessary skills and qualifications to carry out works related to HLF projects locally.”

Councillor Mary Burstow asked a question and received a reply as set out in Appendix C to these Minutes.

Following debate, on being put to the vote, the amendment was lost on a show of hands.

The Minute was adopted.

10.28pm

On the Motion of Councillor Ruth Dombey, seconded by Councillor Colin Hall, it was

            Resolved:  That, in accordance with Standing Order 13.8, all items remaining to be dealt with at this Council meeting be approved subject to the opposition leader being able to express dissent on them.

The following Minutes were adopted: