Decisions

That Cabinet consider a net revenue forecast of £2.4m deficit, and evolving recovery plan necessary to return a balanced position prior to end March 2020.

That Cabinet note the 88% delivery of the budget setting savings agreed by full Council previously and a need for remedial action/savings in respect of circa 12% savings (£748k) reported as delayed or unachievable by service managers.

That Cabinet consider the capital outturn spend of £35.493m, introducing a £24k anticipated overspend, and the presumptions made around net financing consequences as per para 3.19.

That Cabinet note the extent of movements in reserve usage, including individual budgeted draws on school balances, and their effect on current prudent financial planning assumptions as outlined in para 5.2.

Approve the proposed expenditure of Capital Section 106 education contributions to increase the teaching and learning environment at Ysgol Gymraeg Y Fenni.

That Cabinet approve the expenditure of the remaining Capital Section 106 education contributions on improvements to the foundation phase area at Gilwern Primary School

To note the consultation feedback and the proposed responses.

To adopt the revised Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Guidance in connection with the adopted Monmouthshire Local Development Plan.

That the grants be awarded as per the schedule of applications.

To approve the investment into new posts to support service demands and funding strategy described within the report (Appendix 2 and 3).

To approve the new Enterprise SMT structure and roles and responsibilities (Appendix 1b).

That the Chief Officer for Enterprise proceed with the implementation of the new structure and make any amendments that might become apparent during the process in consultation with the Cabinet member for resources.

That Cabinet approves funding from reserves to take forward a pilot arrangement to include:

·         £50k to establish the MMT support office;

·         a capability for the Investment Committee to authorise secured interest bearing loans of up to £25k to pre-revenue stage target companies who locate to MMT;

·         a capability for the Investment Committee to make investments in target companies that come through MMT where appropriate; and,

·         a £50k one off fee to the Council’s MMT partner.

That Cabinet approve the sum of £127,598 to facilitate feasibility study so cost certainty and business planning can be developed for the refurbishment of Caldicot Leisure Centre. Initial cost will be met from a draw-down of available capital receipts so there will be no initial impact on the revenue budget of the Council.

That Cabinet receive a further report at the conclusion of the study when it will be asked to consider whether the programme proceeds or not.

Cabinet formally agreed to move to a shared service for Revenues, as soon as is practicable and to agree the scoping document attached in Appendix 1.

Torfaen County Borough Council provide interim management arrangements for Revenues until officers officially transfer to the new shared service.

The final implementation of the shared service is incorporated into the current Memorandum of Understanding between the two authorities for the Shared Benefits Service.

Cabinet agreed the relevant staff transfer under the Transfer of Undertakings Protection of Employment Regulations (TUPE) to Torfaen County Borough Council, following due process and the shared service arrangement in its extended scope is fully embedded.

Cabinet authorised the Chief Officer for Resources and Assistant Head of Finance for Revenues, Systems & Exchequer, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Whole Authority Resources, to finalise the Memorandum of Understanding and TUPE arrangements in discussion with Torfaen County Borough Council.

Cabinet agreed that any resultant redundancy or pension strain costs are met from the corporate budget, if it is not possible to manage these costs within the overall Directorate’s budget.

Resolved to agree the recommendations of the report

To note the contents of the programme