Decisions

That the Treasury Management Strategy, Annual Investment, Minimum Revenue Provision and Prudential Indicators, as set out in the circulated report, be commended to Council for approval.

That the Capital Programme for 2017/18 to 2019/20, as detailed in Appendix 1 to the circulated report, be commended to Council for approval and that the Programme be kept under review and updated over the coming year.

That, having due regard to the Equality Impact Assessment information set out in the circulated report and its Appendix 7:-

1.   The following matters be delegated to the appropriate Corporate Director following consultation with the Council Leader, relevant Cabinet Member and Chair of the relevant Overview and Scrutiny Committee:-

a.  Fees and charges applicable for the financial year 2017/18;

b.  Fees and Charges applicable in any subsequent financial year and which, in the opinion of the relevant Corporate Director, need to be set in advance of the financial year for operational reasons;

2.   After reviewing the content of the circulated report the following be commended to Council for approval:-

a.     The latest budget position 2016/17 – the revised budget position and arrangements for 2016/17;

b.     The Council’s Revenue Budget 2017/18;

·        Take account of the Equality Impact Assessment and Crime and Disorder impacts in setting the budget for 2017/18;

·        The Net Revenue Budget requirement for 2017/18, and the service plans for the delivery of the budgets;

·        The budget/forward financial plan savings (outlined in Appendix 4 to the circulated report);

·        Corporate Directors be insructed to progress the savings and improvement programme for the Authority.

c.     Fees and charges for non-executive functions – that the determination of the following matters be delegated to the appropriate Corporate Director following consultation with the Council Leader, Deputy Leader and Chair of the relevant Non Executive Committee

·          Fees and charges applicable in 2017/18

·          Fees and charges applicable in any subsequent financial year and which, in the opinion of the Corporate Director, need to be set in advance of that financial year for operational reasons;

d.     Council Tax 2017/18 – That the 2017/18 Band D equivalent for Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council be £1,443.30.

1.           That the Capital Budget Monitoring, as outlined in Table 1 to the circulated report be commended to Council in the sum totalling £55.093m

2.           That the position in relation to expenditure as at 31 December 2016, be noted.

1.           That the budget monitoring information be noted and management arrangements put in place to minimise overspends and the adverse impact on reserves;

2.           That Members note the additional grants received;

3.           That the proposed reserve movements and budget virements,as contained in the circulated report, be approved  and those exceeding £500,000 be commended to Council for approval.

That the revised Route 16 Financial Policy with the Participation Premium retained and amended Qualification payments be approved for implementation from 1 April 2017.

That the revised Route 16 Financial Policy and amended Qualification Payments to include the removal of the Participation Premium from the Financial Policy from the 1 April 2017, with the Participation Premium being retained for a transition period of no more than 4 months (the end of the 2017 academic year) to allow for young people to prepare for the reduction in income be approved.

That the revised Route 16 Financial Policy and amended Qualification Payments to include the removal of the Participation Premium be approved and implemented from the 1^st April 2017.

That the response to the Welsh Government Consultation Document ‘Reform of School Governance: Regulatory Framework’ be submitted to the Welsh Government as detailed in Appendix A to the circulated report subject to the following amendment that the Local Authority disagree with the Welsh Government comment that a minor authority should have a seat on the governing body.

1.      That approval be granted for childcare facilities to be developed on school sites with the terms and conditions to be agreed by the Head of Property and Regeneration;

2.      That the Head of Participation be granted delegated authority to develop childcare facilities on school sites;

3.      That annual reports be submitted to Members.

Members considered the verbal update given at the meeting and in line with approved policy, Councillors M. Ellis, R.G.Jones, Cllr.D.Keogh, A.J.Taylor and Cllr.D.Whitelock be appointed as Local Authority Governor representatives to the temporary governing body of Ysgol Newydd Margam.

IMMEDIATE IMPLEMENTATION – NO CALL-IN

1.        That the amendments made verbally at the meeting to Appendix 1 to the circulated report on the Centre of Excellence for Next Generation Services, be noted;

2.    That the Leader of Council be given delegated authority to agree and sign (or have signed on his behalf) an in principle City Deal agreement on the basis described in the circulated report;

3.    That the substance of the City Deal, including any subsequently signed agreement, be referred to the Economic and Community Regeneration Scrutiny Committee (or its successor) for further consideration;

4.    That, prior to the local government elections, an all Member seminar be convened on the Swansea Bay City Deal;

5.    That officers be requested to bring a further full report to Cabinet and Council on any definitive commitments following the local government elections in May should the City Deal agreement be signed in principle;

6.    That the report be referred to Council on 25 January, 2016 for information/discussion.