Agenda and decisions

To receive declarations by Members and Officers of the existence and nature of any pecuniary interests or any other significant interest in matters on this agenda.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 21 October 2024.

Cabinet approved the minutes of the meeting of 21 October 2024.

To consider and note the Annual Report 2023/24 of the Safeguarding Adults Executive Board (SAEB).

Cabinet agreed the following recommendations:

·       Noted the Annual Report 2023/24 of the Safeguarding Adults Executive Board (SAEB), with particular regard to the arrangements that have been put in place to meet the requirements of the Care Act 2014 from 1 April 2015

·       Endorsed the strategy and the priorities informing the Board’s current work.

Reasons for Decision

The Board must publish a report of what it has done during the year to achieve its objectives, including findings of the reviews arranged by it under Section 44 of the Act.

Implementation Date: N/A

To approve the acquisition of the freehold and leasehold interests of five properties for use as Temporary Accommodation.

Cabinet agreed the following amended recommendations:

• Approved the acquisition of the freehold and leasehold interests in three properties (A, D and E) outlined in the confidential appendix.
• Approved the re-profiling of the approved Capital programme to ensure sufficient resource is available within the year to purchase the proposed acquisitions.
• Delegated authority to the Cabinet Member for Finance and Council Reform, following consultation with the Executive Director of Finance and Resources, to take the decision on whether to acquire the freehold and leasehold interests in the properties B and C outlined in the confidential appendix, subject to satisfactory completion of further due diligence.
• Delegated authority to the Executive Director of Finance and Resources, following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Council Reform, to agree the terms of the purchase contracts, following due diligence, including agreement on the final price of each acquisition.

Reasons for Decision

The Council has a statutory obligation to provide housing for those in housing need. Purchasing units for temporary accommodation use helps the Council to meet increasing demand from homeless households by providing a ready supply of high-quality accommodation and provides a secure base for residents. By investing in these assets, the Council is also less exposed to shortages, fluctuations in rent costs in the private market and the use of hotel accommodation due to the current surge in demand.

Implementation Date: 24 December 2024

To approve a new Housing Allocation Scheme.

Cabinet agreed the following recommendations:

·       Approved the revised Housing Allocation Scheme

Reasons for Decision

The Allocation Scheme was last extensively reviewed in 2011 when the demand for, and supply of, social housing was vastly different to the current picture. Through the changes set out in the report, the Council intends to be more open and transparent in how social housing is allocated with a simpler scheme that is easier to understand and deliver. The new scheme will also better recognise applicants with multiple needs.

Implementation Date: 24 December 2024

To approve changes to the Council’s fees and charges from 1 January 2025 at the earliest.

Cabinet agreed the following recommendations:

·       Approved the changes to fees and charges as outlined in Appendices 2a to 2d of the report.

·       Approved the unchanged Fees and Charges Policy.

·       Delegated authority to the Executive Director for Finance and Resources to make minor or technical adjustments to any fees and charges in year, in consultation with the relevant Cabinet Member

Reasons for Decision

Fees and charges are reviewed annually with a strong supporting link to the medium-term financial planning process.

Implementation Date: 24 December 2024

To approve recommendations to Council for consideration at its meeting on 5 March 2025 including the Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2025/26, and Council Tax discounts for second homes, empty properties and the Long Term Empty Property Premium.

Cabinet agreed the following recommendations to Full Council for consideration at its meeting on 5 March 2025:

·       Approved the Council Tax discount for second homes remaining at 0%

·       Approved the Council Tax discounts for empty properties, including the discounts that replaced the previous Class A and C Council Tax exemptions, remain at 0%.

·       Approved the Long-Term Empty Property Premium continuing at the maximum percentages allowed for by the current legislation for the 2025/26 financial year.

·       Delegated authority to the Director of Revenues & Benefits be given delegated authority to determine any individual local discount applications received from Council Taxpayers during the 2025/26 financial year under section 13A(1)(c) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992.

·       Approved the same Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2025/26 which has operated successfully since 2013/14. The scheme is based on the Default Scheme Regulations, updated to reflect changes made via the Prescribed Requirements Amendment Regulations and with War Disabled Pensions, War Widow, Pensions and Armed Forces Compensation scheme payments disregarded in full when calculating a claimant’s income. The same disregards should continue to apply to Housing Benefit and claims for Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP).

·       Noted that the Council Tax Base for 2025/26 for the Whole City is 141,569.83 equivalent Band D properties, for Montpelier Square alone 101.76 equivalent Band D properties and for Queen’s Park 3,739.64 equivalent Band D properties.

·       Noted that the figures set out in paragraph 2.3 above for the Council Tax Base for 2025/26 are be used by the Council to make a determination pursuant to the requirements of the Local Government Finance Act 1992.

·       Noted the determination made in last year’s report to implement a 100% Second Home Premium for the 2025/26 financial year.

Reasons for Decision

The taxbase decision is sought in order that the Council complies with the requirements of the Local Government Finance Act 1992. Retention of the same levels of Council Tax discount for empty properties and second homes will continue to deliver additional Council Tax income for the Council without disadvantaging any vulnerable members of the community.

Implementation Date: 24 December 2024

To approve the net movements of £52.862m for individual projects as part of the 2024/25 & other future year General Fund capital budgets, and the net reprofiling of £10.062m for individual projects as part of the 2024/25 & other future year Housing Revenue Account capital budgets. 

Cabinet agreed the following recommendations:

·       Approved the net movements of £52.862m for individual projects as part of the 2024/25 & other future year General Fund capital budgets.

·       Approved the net reprofiling of £10.062m for individual projects as part of the 2024/25 & other future year Housing Revenue Account capital budgets.

Reasons for Decision

Reprofiling is sought so the 2024/25 budgets can be aligned with current forecasts  and in line with projects that have changed e.g. revised delivery timelines or amended payment schedules.

Implementation Date: 24 December 2024