Decision details

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet:

1.     Note the budget monitoring position and treasury management update as at January 2022 (Month 10) as outlined in Part A of this report.

2.     Approve the financial recommendations set out in Part B of this report

a)    Approves the Council’s COVID-19 Additional Relief Fund scheme for passporting the Government’s Business Rates support funding against Business Rates liabilities for 2021/22 as set out in Appendix B.

b)    Approves the creation of a new Earmarked Reserve to fund Jubilee Celebrations, transferring £160k from other reserves at the disposal of Members.

c)    Approve acceptance of gift funding in relation to a Planning Performance Agreement in accordance with the provisions of Section 93 of the Local Government Act 2003 for;

                           I.          Prologis DC6 - £17,500

                         II.          Nestle Canteen - £32,000

                       III.          Lowdham Lodge - £60,000

                      IV.          Bulls Bridge - £20,000

                        V.          Hyatt Hotel - £42,000

d)     Accept a grant award of £18k from Transport for London for cycle training.

e)     Accept the award of £1,581k grant funding from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy in respect of the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF).

f)      Agree to a grant award to Ickenham Village Hall Associated Limited for building works on a match funding basis up to a maximum of £30k.

g)    Approve the acceptance of £10k grant funding from DEFRA in relation to Biodiversity Net Gain.

h)    Approve the transfer to the Council of £585,000 by North West London Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) to support hospital discharge.

i)      Approve the transfer to the Council of £325,000 by North West London Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) to support children and young people with mental health needs.

j)      Approve the transfer to the Council of £575,000 by Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust (CNWL) to commission a mental health crisis house pilot.

k)    Ratify the agreement with the Department for Education relating to the Dedicated Schools Grant Safety Valve Agreement, which was signed under delegated authority by the Corporate Director of Finance, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, Cabinet Member for Finance and Cabinet Member for Families, Education & Wellbeing, as set out in Appendix A.

l)      Approve the award of discretionary Section 13a relief to Council Taxpayers who provide accommodation for refugees through the Government’s Homes of Ukraine initiative, where this would otherwise result in an increase in the amount of Council Tax due, with arrangements to be unwound should Government step in to mitigate such increases.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet was informed of the forecast revenue, capital and treasury position for the current year 2021/22 to ensure the Council achieved its budgetary and service objectives.

The Cabinet Member for Finance informed Cabinet that the financial position of the Council continued to be one of financial strength and stability and noted the exceptional pressures relating to COVID-19 which would be covered by central Government funding. The Cabinet Member welcomed that the Council’s savings programme was also progressing well.

A number of financial recommendations were moved by the Cabinet Member, including a new reserve fund for HM The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations which would cover the costs associated, but also include a contribution of £250 per street party to residents.

In respect of the Dedicated Schools Grant, Cabinet ratified the ‘safety valve’ agreement signed recently with the Department for Education. The Cabinet Member explained the background to the historic budget deficit which related to the growth in the cost of special education needs. The Cabinet Member announced the positive news that the Council would now be able to eliminate the deficit by 2025, which would include receiving a repayment of £25m from the Government along with capital funding to create additional special educational needs places in the Borough. The Cabinet Member thanked the Council officer team in the work they had done to secure the agreement.

Through an addendum circulated to Members, Cabinet also agreed to award discretionary Council Tax relief in order to not financially disadvantage sponsors who claim a single persons’ discount when taking refugees as part of the UK Homes for Ukraine Initiative.

The Leader of the Council welcomed the comprehensive report and the Cabinet Member’s management of the Council’s finances. In respect of the Dedicated School Grant safety valve agreement reached, the Leader paid his thanks to the Chief Executive’s role in helping secure this.

Alternative options considered and rejected

None.