Agenda and decisions

That Cabinet considers the responses to consultation and recommends to Council:

·       The 2020/21 revenue budget as attached in Appendix I

·       The 2020/21 to 2023/24 capital programme as attached in Appendix J1.

That Cabinet acknowledges that the final budget proposals proposed look to support the priorities of the council and specifically seek to recognise in full, all pay and pension related spending pressures in our schooling system and the increasing demand placed on children’s social care services, adult social care and our children with additional learning needs budgets.

That a 4.95% increase in the Band “D” equivalent Council Tax for the County continues to be used as the planning assumption in the budget model and to apply for County purposes in 2020/21.

That Cabinet approves the revised saving and pressure proposals, updated following public consultation, scrutiny and more up to date information being made available since the draft proposals were released on consultation on 20th December 2019.

That Cabinet recognises the risks concerning an absence of a funding floor in the Final Local Government Settlement, and further steps needing to be taken to manage the remaining budget deficit if this was to materialise.

That Cabinet notes the movements anticipated in respect of earmarked reserves during 2020/21 culminating in forecast earmarked reserve balances of £5.29 million at the end of 2020/21.

That Cabinet approves changes to the draft capital budget proposals and programme for 2020/21 and as outlined in paragraph 3.29.

That Cabinet recommends Council to dispose of assets identified in the exempt background paper at best value.

That Cabinet considers the Responsible Financial Officer’s report on the robustness of the budget process and the adequacy of reserves issued under the provisions of the Local Government Act, 2003

That Cabinet adopts the Responsible Financial Officer’s report on Prudential Indicators.

That Cabinet approves the following:

·       Further work is undertaken to develop a balanced Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) over the 3 year period 2021/22 to 2023/24.

·       Regular review of the MTFP to ensure it remains up to date, and that includes an assessment of evidence based pressures and risks, underlying modelling assumptions and the ongoing affordability implications of the Corporate Plan.

Divisions/Wards Affected: All

Purpose: To consider the approval of the Countryside Access Improvement Plan (Rights of Way Improvement Plan) and the Countryside Access Policy, Protocol and Operational Management Guide following the completion of public consultation.

Authors: Ruth Rourke, Countryside Access Manager, MonLife

Matthew Lewis, Environment and Culture Manager, MonLife

Contact Details: ruthrourke@monmouthshire.gov.uk; matthewlewis@monmouthshire.gov.uk

That Cabinet approves the finalised Countryside Access Improvement Plan (Rights of Way Improvement Plan) and the Countryside Access Policy, Protocol and Operational Management Guide.

Division/Wards Affected: All

Purpose: To seek endorsement of a mid-term refresh of the Corporate Plan. This articulates the authority’s purpose and values, alongside an update of the ambitious programme that will continued to be delivered during the course of the current Council which runs until the local elections in May 2022. 

Authors: Emma Davies, Performance Officer

Richard Jones, Performance Manager

Matthew Gatehouse, Head of Policy and Governance

Contact Details: matthewgatehouse@monmouthshire.gov.uk

That Cabinet endorse the Corporate Plan prior to its approval by Council.

That Cabinet endorse the adoption of the objectives contained in the plan as the Council’s Well-being Objectives and Improvement Objectives in accordance with the requirements of the Well-being of Future Generations Act and the Local Government (Wales) Measure 2009.

Division/Wards Affected: All

Purpose: To advise on the current financial position for the Outdoor Activity Centres (Gilwern and Hilston Park)

Authors: Ian Saunders, MonLife Chief Operating Officer

Marie Bartlett, MonLife Finance and Resources Manager

Nick John, MonLife Leisure Services Manager

Contact Details: iansaunders@monmouthshire.gov.uk

mariebartlett@monmouthshire.gov.uk

nicholasjohn@monmouthshire.gov.uk

That Cabinet notes the current overspending position for 2019/20 of 95k and the potential for the service to have the same level of overspending in 2020/21. This is not included within the MTFP pressures list for 2020/21.

That Cabinet move to a more sustainable model of delivery which could eventually involve site rationalisation.  If, in time, officers recommed site rationalisation a further report will be presented to Cabinet.

Division/Wards Affected: All

Purpose: The purpose of the report is to recommend changes to the schools funding formula in how it distributes funding to schools.

Author: Nikki Wellington

Contact Details: nicolawellington@monmouthshire.gov.uk

That Cabinet approve the proposed changes to the school funding formula as detailed in section 3 of the consultation document in appendix 1.

Division/Wards Affected: All

Purpose: The purpose of this report is to present to Cabinet for approval the 2020/21 Investment and Fund strategy for Trust Funds for which the Authority acts as sole or custodian trustee for adoption and to approve the 2020/21 grant allocation to Local Authority beneficiaries of the Welsh Church Fund.

Author: Dave Jarrett – Senior Accountant Business Support

Nicola Wellington – Children & Young People Finance Manager

Contact Details: davejarrett@monmouthshire.gov.uk

That the proposed Investment and Fund Strategy for 2020/21 for the Monmouthshire Farm School Endowment Trust Fund be approved.

That the proposed Investment and Fund Strategy for 2020/21 for the Welsh Church Fund be approved.

To delegate responsibility for the execution and administration of treasury management decisions to the Head of Finance (S151 officer) who will act in accordance with the Investment and Funds Strategy (appendix 2).

To approve the 2020/21 grant allocation to Local Authority beneficiaries to the Monmouthshire Welsh Church Act Fund of £210,000 to be distributed in accordance with population shares as per the 2010 Census.

That the Monmouthshire Farm School Trust Board determines the 2020-21 grant allocation at its January 2020 meeting based on the previous years’ investment return at the end of March 2019, and any under spends carried forward from the 2019-20 grant allocation, and to avoid eroding the overall fund.

To endorse the Welsh Church Fund Principles, Policy Considerations and Grant Allocation Criteria for 2020-21 (Appendix 6) as considered and approved by the Welsh Church Fund Committee on the 16th January 2020.

Division/Wards Affected: All

Purpose: The purpose of this report is to make recommendations to Cabinet on the Schedule of Applications for the Welsh Church Fund Working Group meeting 7 held on the 16^th January 2020.

Author: David Jarrett – Senior Accountant – Central Finance Business Support

Contact Details: davejarrett@monmouthshire.gov.uk

That grants be awarded as per the schedule of applications.