Agenda

Minutes of the meeting of County Council held on Wednesday 17 January 2024, as circulated, to be confirmed as a true record.

Unless already entered in the Council’s Register of Members’ interests, members are required where a matter arises at a meeting;

a.       Which directly relates to Disclosable Pecuniary Interest (‘DPI’) as set out in Appendix B, Table 1 of the Code of Conduct, to disclose the interest, not participate in any discussion or vote and not to remain in room. Where members have a DPI or if the matter concerns an executive function and is being considered by a Cabinet Member with a DPI they must notify the Monitoring Officer and arrange for somebody else to deal with the matter.

b.       Which directly relates to the financial interest or well being of a Other Registrable Interest as set out in Appendix B, Table 2 of the Code of Conduct to disclose the interest and only speak on the matter if members of the public are also allowed to speak at the meeting but otherwise must not take part in any discussion or vote on the matter and must not remain the room.

c.        Which directly relates to their financial interest or well-being (and is not DPI) or the financial well being of a relative or close associate, to declare the interest and members may only speak on the matter if members of the public are also allowed to speak. Otherwise, the member must not take part in discussion or vote on the matter and must leave the room.

d.       Which affects the financial well-being of the member, a relative or close associate or a body included under the Other Registrable Interests column in Table 2, to disclose the interest and apply the test set out at paragraph 9 of Appendix B before deciding whether they may remain in the meeting.

e.       Where Members have or a Cabinet Member has an Other Registerable Interest or Non Registerable Interest in a matter being considered in exercise of their executive function, they must notify the Monitoring Officer and arrange for somebody else to deal with it.

NB Any member needing clarification must contact monitoringofficer@northumberland.gov.uk. Members are referred to the Code of Conduct which contains the matters above in full. Please refer to the guidance on disclosures at the rear of this agenda letter.

To receive questions provided on notice from and to provide answers to the public in accordance with the Council’s Procedure Rules.

To receive questions provided on notice from and to provide answers to Members of the Council in accordance with the Council’s Procedure Rules.

7.1 Budget 2024-25 – Report under Section 25 of the Local Government Act 2003

To provide Council Members with information on the robustness of the estimates and the adequacy of reserves in the Cabinet’s budget proposals for 2024-25. Provision of this information is a legal requirement and ensures that all Members have regard to the professional authoritative advice provided by the Council’s Chief Financial Officer when final budget decisions are made at this meeting.

7.2 Budget Engagement Report

This report provides a summary of engagement on the Council’s Budget which commenced in July 2023 and included a Budget Survey which closed on 26th January 2024. This engagement helps to inform the Council’s Budget and Medium-Term Financial Plan.

7.3 Budget 2024-25, Medium Term Financial Plan 2024-28 and 30 Year Business Plan for the Housing Revenue Account

The report seeks Council approval for the updated Budget 2024-25, Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) 2024-28 and 30-year Business plan for the Housing Revenue Account (HRA).

7.4      Budget 2024-25 and Medium-Term Financial Plan 2024-28

The report provides the Revenue Budget for 2024-25 and Revenue MTFP 2024-28 and the Capital Budget for 2024-25 and Capital MTFP 2024-28, following the Government’s Autumn Statement on 22 November 2023, and the publication of the provisional Local Government Finance Settlement on 18 December 2023.

It is important to note that there may need to be some revisions to the figures following receipt of the Government’s final Local Government Finance Settlement figures in February 2024. It is proposed that any changes to the figures as a result of this announcement, which impact on the Budget 2024-25 and MTFP 2024-28 are delegated to the Executive Director for Transformation and Resources in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Corporate Services. If the final Local Government Settlement is received prior to the Cabinet or 21 February 2024 Council meeting, then a supplementary report will be provided to Members advising of any changes.

7.5      Update to the Budget 2024-25 and Medium Term Financial Plan 2024-28

The purpose of this report is to update Members with matters relating to the Budget 2024-25 which have arisen following the publication of the final Local Government Finance Settlement and publication of the Budget reports, one of which was presented to the all OSC Member Corporate Services and Economic Growth Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 29 January 2024 and the second to Cabinet on 13 February 2024.

7.6      Revenues and Benefits Policies for 2024-25

The purpose of this report is to update Members on the policies governing the administration of Revenues and Benefits and seek approval for the updates and amendments highlighted.(The policies are enclosed separately with this agenda).

7.7      Council Tax 2024-25

To provide Council Members with the financial information to enable the Council to calculate and set the Council Tax for 2024-25.

Corporate Fraud Policies 2024-25

The purpose of the report is to provide an update on the County Council’s policies in relation to Corporate Fraud activity and seek approval for updated policies

Pay Policy Statement of Northumberland County Council 2024/2025

This report asks Council to receive and consider the report and the recommendation of the Staff and Appointments Committee that met on 8 February 2024, in respect of the proposal that the amended pay policy statement for 2024/25 is approved for adoption.

Annual Portfolio Report – Public Health and Wellbeing

This is the Annual Report from the Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing. The report contains issues that set the context for delivery of the Portfolio. It highlights achievements over the past year and, outlines the areas of focus for the coming year.

Annual Portfolio Report – Promoting Healthy Lives

This is the Annual Report from the Cabinet Member for Promoting Healthy Lives. The report contains issues that set the context for delivery of the Portfolio. It highlights achievements over the past year and, outlines the areas of focus for the coming year.

In accordance with the provisions of the local Government Act 1972 by reason of special circumstances, the Chairman of the Council is of the opinion that the following item should be considered at the meeting as a matter of urgency:

Strategic Acquisition Fund

The report seeks the approval of Council to make a £15.000 million provision in the Capital Programme, for the current year, 2023-24, for the acquisition of strategic land and/or property in support of economic growth and job creation in the County.