Agenda and draft minutes

Council to approve the non-exempt minutes from the meeting of the extraordinary 23rd  January 2025 meeting of Council.

It was moved by Councillor David Burton, seconded by Councillor Dawn Greatorex and

RESOLVED

That the minutes of a meeting of Extraordinary Council held on 23rd January 2025 be approved as a correct record.

Voting

25 For

00 Against

01 Abstentions

The Chair declared the motion CARRIED.

Council to approve the minutes from the meeting of Council 30th January 2025. 

It was moved by Councillor Nick Wilton, seconded by Councillor Peter Dobbs and

RESOLVED

That the minutes of a meeting of Council held on 30th January 2025 be approved as a correct record.

Voting

25 For

00 Against

01 Abstentions

The Chair declared the motion CARRIED.

To enable members of the public to ask questions, express views or present petitions on matters identified in the summons, IF NOTICE HAS BEEN GIVEN, (by telephone, in writing or by email) BY NO LATER THAN 12 NOON OF THE WORKING DAY PRECEDING THE MEETING. As per Procedural Rule 14.4 at any one meeting no person may submit more than 3 questions and no more than 1 such question may be asked on behalf of one organisation.

There was no public participation.

Members are required to declare the existence and nature of any interests they may have in subsequent agenda items in accordance with the District Council’s Code of Conduct. Those interests are matters that relate to money or that which can be valued in money, affecting the Member, her/his partner, extended family and close friends. Interests that become apparent at a later stage in the proceedings may be declared at the time.

Pursuant to the delegated authority at Part 3 of the Constitution, the Monitoring Officer granted all Members a dispensation under Section 33 (2) (a) of the Act from the requirements of section 31 (4) of the Act, so as to enable all such Members to participate and vote in item 8 and item 9.

Councillor Steve Flitter declared an interest in item 9: Council Tax Setting For The Financial Year 2025/2026.

This report seeks the Council’s approval for the Medium-Term Financial Strategy for 2025/26 to 2029/30. The strategy is intended to set out the Council’s strategic approach to the management of its finances and provide a framework within which decisions can be made regarding future service provision and council tax levels.

The Director of Resources presented a report, seeking the Council’s approval for the Medium Term Financial Strategy 2025/26 to 2029/30. The strategy was intended to set out the Council’s strategic approach to the management of its finances and to provide a framework within which decisions can be made regarding future service provision and council tax levels.  

It was moved by Councillor Nick Wilton, Seconded by Councillor Peter Dobbs and

RESOLVED

1.     That approval is given to the Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) for 2025/26 to 2029/30, attached as Appendix 1 to this report;

2.     That uncommitted working balances will be retained at a level that is approximately 10% of net revenue expenditure;

3.     That Council agrees that, when setting budgets for 2025/26 and beyond, spending should be focused on the Council’s corporate priorities, wherever possible;

4.     That approval is given to the approach set out in this Medium-Term Financial Strategy for achieving the savings required to set balanced budgets for the financial years from 2026/27 onwards, including the following:

a.     Transfer any surplus/underspending from 2024/25 and 2025/26 (that is not already committed) into a reserve and use it to partially fund the potential deficit in 2026/27, as assumed in the Medium-Term Financial Plan in this report;

b.     When the government announces the outcome of the Local Authority Funding Reforms, use further modelling to assess the potential impact on the Council and approve an updated Medium-Term Financial Plan;

c.      Make transfers from the business rates fluctuations reserve to the revenue account to mitigate the impact of the loss of business rates income following any reset of the business rates baseline, as assumed 23 Agenda Item 6 in the Medium-Term Financial Plan in this report;

d.     During 2025/26, if continuous budget monitoring indicates that further savings have not been identified, develop a savings plan to balance budgets for 2026/27;

e.     As a last resort, and if the circumstances are exceptional, use the General Reserve to balance the budget for 2026/27, recognising that this is not sustainable;

f.        Put on hold on any significant service reductions to address savings targets from 2027/28 until the outcome of the funding / business rates reforms is known.

It is expected that engagement with Members will be required to identify lower priority services where future savings might be pursued.

5.     Subject to being able to balance the revenue budget and maintaining adequate reserves and balances for financial resilience and the replacement of assets (e.g. waste vehicles), make transfers to the Housing Reserve to provide a source of funding to deliver more affordable housing in line with the Council’s Corporate Plan.

Voting

25 For

00 Against

01 Abstained 

The Chair declared the motion CARRIED.

This report outlines spending for each project against the approved 2024/25 capital programme as at 31st January, and seeks approval for an updated capital programme for 2024/25 to 2029/30 and associated financing. Two new projects are proposed for inclusion in the revised programme.

The Director of Resources presented a report on the Capital Programme Update. The report outlined spending for each project against the approved 2024/2025 capital programme as at 31st January. It also sought approval for an updated capital programme for 2024/25 to 2029/30 and associated financing.  Two new projects were proposed for inclusion in the revised programme.

It was moved by Councillor Nick Wilton, Seconded by Councillor Steve Flitter and

RESOLVED (unanimously)

1.     That the Capital Programme expenditure to 31st January 2025 is noted.

2.     That re-phasing of existing projects for completion over the next 5 years is approved.

3.     That the Warm Homes Local Project totalling £2,290,000, set out in paragraph 2.9 and Appendix C of the report, is approved for inclusion in the programme.

4.     That a New Project to deliver UKSPF projects totalling £350,169, set out in paragraphs 2.10 to 2.12, is approved for inclusion in the programme.

5.     That the revised Capital Programme for 2024/25 to 2029/30, as shown in Appendix A, totalling £37,397,415 is approved.

6.     That financing of the Capital Programme from sources summarised at paragraph 2.16 and shown in Appendix B is approved.

7.     That the balance of funds available over the 5-year programme, shown at Appendix B, is noted.

The Chair declared the motion CARRIED.

This report seeks approval for the District Council's and Revenue Budget for 2025/26 and updated Medium Term Financial Plan.

The Director of Resources presented a report seeking approval for the District Council's Revenue Budget for 2025/26 and updated Medium Term Financial Plan.

It was moved by Councillor Nick Wilton, Seconded by Councillor Steve Flitter.

1.     That the level of the Derbyshire Dales District Council’s Council Tax (excluding parish requirements) for 2025/26 is set at £244.07 for Band D, being an increase of £7.09 per band D (2.99%) from the 2024/25 level.

2.     That the estimated net revenue expenditure for 2025/26 totalling £13,583,534, as detailed in the Summary Revenue Account in Appendix 1, be approved.

3.     That £500,000 be transferred from the Waste Fluctuations Reserve to a new “Housing Reserve” in 2024/25.

4.     The net sum of £415,692 be transferred from the reserves in 2025/26, as shown in Appendix 1 and detailed in Appendix 5.

5.     The following amounts are calculated by the Council for the chargeable financial year 2025/26 in accordance with Section 31A of the Local Government Finance Act 1992:-

i.        aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 31A(2)(a) to (f) thereof is £36,108,477;

ii. aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 31A(3)(a) to (d) thereof is £26,061,267;

iii. calculation under Section 31A(4) being the amount of which the aggregate at (i) above exceeds the aggregate of (ii) above, as the Council Tax Requirement for 2025/26 is £10,047,210.

6.     That the updated Medium Term Financial Plan, shown in Appendix 4, be approved.

7.     That the Director of Resources’ report on the robustness of the budget and the adequacy of reserves in accordance with clause 25 of the Local Government Act 2003 be noted.

8.     That Council adopts the Pay Policy Statement for 2025/26, set out in Appendix 9 to this report.

In accordance with the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) Regulations 2001, a recorded vote was taken.

For: 26 Councillors: Anthony Bates, John Bointon, Geoff Bond, Matt Buckler, Sue Bull, Martin Burfoot, Sue Burfoot, David Burton, Bob Butcher, Neil Buttle, David Chapman, Peter Dobbs, Nigel Edwards-Walker, Steve Flitter, Helen Froggatt, Gareth Gee, Dawn Greatorex, Susan Hobson, David Hughes, Jo Linthwaite, Laura Mellstrom, Dermot Murphy, Roger Shelley, Peter Slack, Steve Wain and Nick Wilton.

Against: 0 Councillors

Abstained: 0 Councillors

The Chair declared the motion CARRIED.

This report enables the Council to calculate and set the Council Tax for 2025/26.

19:07 - Councillor Steve Flitter left the meeting for consideration of this item due to declaring an interest.

The Director of Resources presented a report which enabled the Council to calculate and set the Council Tax for 2025/26.

It was moved by Councillor Nick Wilton, Seconded by Councillor David Hughes that:

1.     That the Council approves the formal Council Tax resolution set out in Appendices A to C of the report.

2.     That the Council continues to apply empty homes council tax premiums as follows, except where statutory and local exceptions apply:

I.  100% premium in respect of any dwelling that has been unoccupied and substantially unfurnished for at least 2 years but less than 5 years;

II.  200% premium in respect of any dwelling that has been unoccupied and substantially unfurnished for at least 5 years but less than 10 years;

III.  300% premium in respect of any dwelling that has been unoccupied and substantially unfurnished for at least 10 years.

3.     That the Council applies a 100% second homes council tax premium from 1st April 2025, except where statutory and local exceptions apply.

In accordance with the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) Regulations 2001, a recorded vote was taken.

For: 25 Councillors: Anthony Bates, John Bointon, Geoff Bond, Matt Buckler, Sue Bull, Martin Burfoot, Sue Burfoot, David Burton, Bob Butcher, Neil Buttle, David Chapman, Peter Dobbs, Nigel Edwards-Walker, Helen Froggatt, Gareth Gee, Dawn Greatorex, Susan Hobson, David Hughes, Jo Linthwaite, Laura Mellstrom, Dermot Murphy, Roger Shelley, Peter Slack, Steve Wain and Nick Wilton.

Against: 0 Councillors

Abstained: 0 Councillors

The Chair declared the motion CARRIED.

19:12 – Councillor Steve Flitter returned to the meeting following the vote.

That the Treasury Management Strategy Statement for 2025/26 and the Treasury Management Prudential Indicators contained within be approved.

The Director of Resources presented a report determining the Treasury Management Strategy Statement for 2025/26.

It was moved by Councillor Nick Wilton, Seconded by Councillor David Hughes and

RESOLVED (unanimously)

That that the Treasury Management Strategy Statement for 2025/26 and the Treasury Management Prudential Indicators contained within be approved.

The Chair declared the motion CARRIED.

This report seeks approval for the Council’s Capital Strategy, Minimum Revenue Provision policy and the Corporate Investment Strategy for 2025/26.

The Director of Resources presented a report seeking approval for the Council’s Capital Strategy, Minimum Revenue Provision policy and the Corporate Investment Strategy for 2025/26.

It was moved by Councillor David Hughes, Seconded by Councillor Steve Flitter and

RESOLVED (unanimously)

That the Capital Strategy, Minimum Revenue Provision policy and the Corporate Investment Strategy for 2025/26 be approved.

The Chair declared the motion CARRIED.

To resolve that in relation to the following item the press and public be excluded from the meeting, as it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of proceedings, that if a member of the public were present during the items there would be disclosure to them of exempt information within Paragraph 3 and Paragraph 5 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, and further that in all circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exempt information outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information, for the reasons set out in the exempt minutes.

It was moved by Councillor Peter Dobbs, seconded by Councillor Matthew Buckler and it was

RESOLVED

That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during the following items of business, as it was likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the public were present during these items there would have been disclosure to them of exempt information within Paragraphs 3 and 5 of Part I Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, and further that in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information, for the reasons set out in the minutes.

Voting

14 For

09 Against

03 Abstained

The Chair declared the motion CARRIED.

Council to approve the exempt minutes from the extraordinary meeting of Council 23rd January 2025.

It was moved by Councillor Nick Wilton, Seconded by Councillor Peter Dobbs and

RESOLVED

That the exempt minutes from the extraordinary meeting of Council held on 23rd January 2025 be approved as a correct record with the amendment that Councillor Geoff Bond was not present at the meeting.

Voting

18 For

00 Against

08 Abstained

The Chair declared the motion CARRIED.