Agenda and decisions

Division/Wards Affected: All

Purpose:To outline the proposed capital budget for 2020/21 and the indicative capital budgets for the three years 2021/22 to 2023/24.

Author:Mark Howcroft – Assistant Head of Finance

Contact Details: markhowcroft@monmouthshire.gov.uk

That Cabinet reviews whether proposals within the draft 2020/21 capital budget are reasonable in light of traditional liability levels identified in Appendix 1

That Cabinet reaffirms the principle that outside of the annual budget consideration that new schemes can only be added to the programme if the business case demonstrates that either:

·       they are self-financing, or

·       the scheme is deemed a higher priority (utilizing the priority matrix in the Capital Strategy) than a current schemes in the programme and displaces it.

That Cabinet notes the forecast capital receipt activity, and the prudence not to anticipate further significant additional receipts over this next 4 year window, until the uncertainties identified in para 4.4 have been resolved.

That Cabinet specifically approves the use of capital receipts totalling £1.416m in respect of utilizing a capitalization directive.

That Cabinet considers and re-affirms its agreement to the prudential indicators supplied in Appendix 6 and its interpretation in section 4 of the report.

Subject to any changes volunteered above, that Cabinet issues its draft capital budget proposals for 2020/21 to 2023/24 for consultation purposes as set out and referred to in Appendix 2.

Divisions/Wards Affected: All

Purpose: To set out draft revenue budget proposals for financial year 2020/21.

To commence a period of consultation on the draft budget proposals until 31 January 2020.

To consider the 2020/21 draft budget proposals within the context of the 4 year Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) and the Corporate Plan.

Author: Peter Davies, Chief Officer for Resources (acting S151 officer)

Email: peterdavies@monmouthshire.gov.uk

That Cabinet approves the release of its draft budget proposals for 2020/21 for consultation purposes.

That Cabinet approves that the consultation period, including the opportunity to present alternative proposals that have been assessed for Future Generations and equality implications, ends on 31st January 2020.

That Cabinet receives a verbal update at the meeting on the provisional settlement from Welsh Government, noting that the draft budget proposals are predicated on a 1% increase in Aggregate External Financing (AEF) together with teachers pay and pension increases fully funded by Welsh Government.

That Cabinet recognises unavoidable pressures of some £9.742 million that need to be provided for within the 2020/21 budget.

That Cabinet confirms its intention to fully fund all pay related pressures insofar as they impact schools and to accommodate significant demand pressures caused in particular by increasing numbers of looked after children and pupils with additional learning needs.

That Cabinet proposes a Council Tax rise of 4.95% for financial year 2020/21.

That Cabinet recognises that the budget proposal remains un-balanced at this stage. There is a remaining savings gap of £1.178m to address.

Divisions/Wards Affected: All

Purpose: To approve the Green Infrastructure Strategy.

Author: Colette Bosley, Green Infrastructure Manager, MonLife

Matthew Lewis, Environment & Culture Manager, MonLIfe

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

That cabinet approve the Green Infrastructure Strategy.

Division/Wards Affected: All

Purpose: To seek Member approval of the proposals for consultation purposes regarding payments to precepting authorities during the 2020/21 financial year as required by statute.

Author: Jonathan S Davies – Finance Manager

Mark Howcroft – Assistant Head of Finance

Contact Details: jonathansdavies@monmouthshire.gov.uk

That the following schedule of payments be proposed pending consultation:

(i) The Police Authority precept is paid from the Council Fund by twelve monthly equal instalments on the third Tuesday in each

month.

(ii) The Community Council precepts are paid by three equal instalments on the last working day in April, August and December in

each year.

That the Community Councils are consulted prior to the determination and that the preferred schedule of payment for the majority is implemented for all payments.

That a further report be produced on the results of consultation enabling a determination to be made by 31st January in accordance with statute.

Division/Wards Affected: All

Purpose: The current depot arrangements have developed on a piecemeal basis over many years, the depots/compounds are not ideal in some instances and lack a cohesive approach to the provision of depots and the services provided from the depots. This report summarises some of the underlying problems and constraints of the current facilities and seeks approval to undertake an assessment of current depot facilities and bring forward options to rationalise and improve depot facilities in and around the county.

Author: Roger Hoggins

Contact Details: rogerhoggins@monmouthshire.gov.uk

That the feasibility of transferring depot operations currently run from Mitchel Troy Depot, Monmouth be assessed and a depot and Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) plan be developed to move the Troy HWRC from its current site (upper plateau) to the Troy depot yard (lower plateau) including the transfer of the operational services (grounds maintenance, waste/recycling, neighbourhood services) presently operating from Troy depot to Llanfoist and Raglan depots (this feasibility to include the implications for Llanfoist and Raglan sites).

To develop depot options for the South of the county. This to include, inter alia, a partnership arrangement with Newport City Council (ideally supported by Welsh Government), an MCC only depot suitable to combine all operational services or to remain largely as is but with essential investment to introduce basic improvements to current depot facilities. These options to be summarised and the preferred option to be developed into a business plan.

That officers enter into negotiations and discussions with other bodies (including local authorities, WG, land agents/valuers etc.) in order that comprehensive proposals might be developed prior to returning to members for approval. This will include all necessary discussions with staff and unions that might be affected by changes to be submitted to members in the future.

Division/Wards Affected: All

Purpose: Waste and recycling service provision must continually evolve to meet challenging targets, volatile markets and increasing costs. This report sets out measures that will be necessary to achieve national recycling targets, minimise budget increases and provide sustainable waste services going forward. Formalising recycling and waste collection policies that recognise the important role of education and enforcement in embedding change give clarity for all users of the services. Behavioural change programmes that reduce waste and increase recycling at the kerbside and increase food waste capture will have the biggest environmental and financial benefit.

Author:Laura Carter, Senior technical and business officer, Waste and street services

Contact Details: lauracarter@monmouthshire.gov.uk

To approve the household kerbside recycling and waste collections policy (Appendix 1).

To approve the implementation of a change programme at the kerbside to enhance and support positive recycling behaviour for all residents across the county.

To commission a review of the garden waste service.

To delegate the trade waste review to the Chief Officer in order to implement recommended service changes in consultation with Cabinet Member.

To take note of the polypropylene reusable bag trial update.

Division/Wards Affected: All

Purpose: This report sets out measures that will be necessary with regard to HWRC provision in order to achieve national recycling targets, minimise budget increases and provide sustainable waste services going forward.  HWRC provision must continually evolve to meet challenging targets, volatile markets and increasing costs. Behavioural change interventions that reduce waste and increase recycling at the household waste recycling centres are proven to be effective across Wales. Due to the high tonnage throughput at our sites compared to other local authorities these changes will have the potential to deliver a significant positive impact on recycling rates. Rationalising service provision will allow investment in the service and drive up recycling performance.

Author: Carl Touhig

Contact Details: carltouhig@monmouthshire.gov.uk

To approve the introduction of further recycling separation by members of the public at household waste recycling centres (HWRCs).

To approve investment in a second re-use shop in Five Lanes through Welsh Government funding.

To rationalise the service provision which includes the closure of Monmouthshire’s worst site at Usk from 31st March 2020 and introduction of revised opening hours at the three other sites from 1st April 2021.

To commence procurement of the HWRC contract based on the revised service model.