Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Allcock, Leadbetter, Newby, J. Moore and Parkhouse.

Members stood and applauded Karime Hassan MBE, the retiring Chief Executive & Growth Director, thanking him for his achievements for Exeter and his many years of hard work, commitment and dedication to the city.

On the request of the Lord Mayor, Members stood and marked a minute’s silence to reflect on the sad passing of Alderman Sterry in December who had been a former Lord Mayor and Honorary Alderman; the recent tragic loss of two lives in the city; the aftermath of the earthquake in Turkey and Syria; and the continuing war in Ukraine.

The Lord Mayor reported that no questions had been received from members of the public.

To pass the following resolution:-

RESOLVED:-

(1)        That the following, as submitted in the Estimates Book, be approved:-

            (a)        the Revenue estimates for 2023-2024;

            (b)        the Capital programme for 2023-2024;

            (c)        the Treasury Management Strategy for 2023-2024;

(d)        the Prudential indicators for 2023-2024 (incorporating the Minimum Revenue Provision Statement); and

            (e)        the Capital Strategy for 2023-2024.

(2)        that it be noted that, at the meeting of the Executive on the 10 January 2023, the Council calculated the figure of 38,247, as its council tax base for the year 2023-2024 in accordance with the Local Authorities  (Calculation of Council Tax Base) (England) Regulations 2012 made under Section 33(5) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992;

(3)        that the following amounts be now calculated by the Council for the year 2023-2024 in accordance with Sections 31A of the Local Government and Finance Act 1992:-

(a)        £122,016,928 being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 31A(2)(a) to (f) of the Act;

(b)        £115,318,731 being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 31A(3)(a) to (d) of the Act;

(c)        £6,698,197 being the amount by which the aggregate at (3)(a) above exceeds the aggregate at (3)(b) above, calculated by the Council, in  accordance with Section 31A(4) of the Act, as its council tax requirement for the year;

(d)        £175.13 being the amount at (3)(c) above divided by the amount at 2 above, calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 31B(1) of the Act, as the basic amount of its council tax for the year;

            (e)        Valuation Bands

Being the amount given by multiplying the amount at (3)(d) above by the number which, in the proportion set out in Section 5(1) of the Act, is applicable to dwellings listed in a particular valuation band divided by the number which in that proportion is applicable to dwellings listed in valuation band D, calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 36(1) of the Act, as the amounts to be taken into account for the year in respect of categories of dwellings listed in different valuation bands.

(4)        That it will be noted that, for the year 2023-2024, Devon County Council, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon and Cornwall and the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Authority have stated the following amounts on precepts issued to the Council, in accordance with Section 83 of the Local Government Act 2003, for each of the categories of the dwellings shown below:-

            Devon County Council

            Devon County Council - Adult Social Care

Minutes 6 (General Fund/HRA Estimates and Capital Programme 2023/24), 7 (Capital Strategy 2023/24), 8 (The Prudential Code for Capital Finance in Local Authorities (Incorporating the Annual Statement of Minimum Revenue Provision) and 9 (Treasury Management Strategy Report 2023/24) of the meeting of the Combined Strategic Scrutiny and Customer Focus Scrutiny Committees held on 9 February 2023 were taken as read and noted.

Minute 8 (Council Tax Base and NNDR 1 2023/24) of the meeting of Executive held on 10 January 2023 was taken as read and adopted. 

The Leader moved, and Councillor Wright seconded, the resolution as set out in the agenda and circulated papers in respect of the Council Tax for Exeter for 2023/24.

The following alternatives to the Budget had been submitted by the Progressive Group:-

Alternatives to the proposed budget by the Progressive Group – received Wednesday 15 February 2023

Proposer: Councillor Diana Moore

Seconder: Councillor Carol Bennett

The Progressive Group noted the Budget put forward and proposed the following amendments:

Amendment 1: Capital Budget 

The proposed budget transfers surplus income from the Guildhall Shopping Centre for 2023/24 (£1,089,000) to earmarked reserves for use for purposes as agreed with Government. The amendment is to use the surplus income for relevant purposes i.e. to repair the Guildhall Multi Storey Car Park (MSCP) (Part A), so releasing the funds proposed to be drawn down through borrowing for use on other projects (set out in Part B):

Part A:

a.    Use £883,400 of the surplus income to fund the repairs to the Guildhall MSCP £883,400 in 2025/26, which would be in line with the agreement with Government. 

b.    To install and pilot in the Guildhall Car Park two lockable bicycle shelters for use by residents and one Bike Dock Solutions (BDS) cycle charging point for use by visitors and residents at a total cost of £9,400. 

The remaining surplus income (£196,200) should be transferred to earmarked reserves.

Part B:

The investment (from borrowing) for works to the Guildhall MSCP to be reallocated for: 

a.    A contribution of £537,750 for the replacement of Mallison Bridge to match partners’ contributions (£500,000 Devon County Council, Exeter Canal and Quay Trust and the Mallison Bequest). Total project costs £1,037,750. The replacement of Mallison Bridge not only alleviates the problems created on the historic Quayside of funnelling all users through a small passageway but will also restore a strategic cycle and walking route.

b.    Invest £250,000 in the parks and open spaces infrastructure in the City Centre parks to boost investment in nature, play and improve community safety.

c.     One off refurbishment of Musgrave Row public toilets of £95,650.

Amendment 2: General Fund

Car Parks It is proposed to:- 

A.    Extend the charging periods on a Thursday evening for the John Lewis, Guildhall, Mary Arches (ground level) and Mary Arches (multi storey) to align with the charges for those car parks on every other night of the week (i.e. to 10pm) and all other Central and Zone 1 Car parks. This will raise (£37,077.60) p.a.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.