Executive Decisions

       i.          the appointment of Stepnell Ltd. is confirmed to undertake enabling works, which include site set up, demolition, utility investigation and surveys.

      ii.          the appointment of Stepnell Ltd is confirmed to undertake the construction of a new facility at Heathlands subject to the scheme achieving planning permission, following a value for money assessment which is set out in confidential Annex A of the Director: Finance’s report;

     iii.          the use of the ground floor of the new Heathlands facility is endorsed to be used for the first 24 months of operation (subject to 6 monthly reviews) for short-term support for individuals, notably those who are elderly and infirm with some mental health issues including a dementia diagnosis, who would otherwise be placed in an Acute setting (as described in paragraphs 5.23 to 5.27 in the Director: Finance’s report);

    iv.          the Borough Solicitor be authorised to enter into discussions with Frimley Health Foundation Trust to establish a joint venture in the form of a private limited company to operate the facility and to enter into the relevant contractual documentation to give effect to its governance arrangements, reflecting the Heads of Terms previously agreed by the Executive in September 2019 and the legal advice attached as Annex C Director: Finance’s report.

The procurement approach outlined in the Procurement Plan is agreed.

That the Executive recommends to the Council:

       i.          General Fund capital funding of £19.225m for 2020/21 in respect of those schemes listed in Annexes A – D of the Director:Finance’s report.

a)     The inclusion of an additional budget of £1m for Invest to Save schemes.

b)     The inclusion of £3.97m of expenditure to be funded from S106 and SANG as outlined in paragraph 5.15 of the Director:Finance’s report.

c)     That those schemes that attract external grant funding are included within the Capital Programme at the level of funding received.

      ii.          Agrees that capital schemes that require external funding can only proceed once the Council is certain of receiving the grant.

     iii.          Confirms its support to investing land and cash to help secure development through a Property Joint Venture once it is established, noting that the financial parameters will be clearly set out in an initial Business Plan that will be approved by the Council later this year.

That the Executive, in recommending to Council a budget and Council Tax level for 2020/21:

                           i.          Confirms the original budget proposals, subject to the revisions in section 8.3 of the Director:Finance’s report and those decisions to be taken elsewhere on this agenda on the capital programme;

                          ii.          Agrees the provision for inflation of £1.998m (section 8.2) of the Director:Finance’s report;

                         iii.          Agrees the additional budget proposals as set out in Annexe A and Annexe D and in sections 6.2, 6.3, 7.3, 8.3, 9.1, 9.3 and 10.6 of the Director:Finance’s report;

                        iv.          Agrees that the Council should make additional funding available for distribution to schools through the local funding formula at the level set out in section 9.1 of the Director:Finance’s report, subject to any minor amendments made by the Executive Member for Children, Young People and Learning following the receipt of definitive funding allocations for Early Years and High Needs pupils;

                          v.          Includes contingencies totalling £2.250m (section 10.6 of the Director:Finance’s report), use of which are to be authorised by the Chief Executive in consultation with the Director of Finance in accordance with the delegations included in the Council’s constitution;

                        vi.          Subject to the above recommendations, confirms the draft budget proposals;

                       vii.          Approves the Net Revenue Budget before allowance for additional interest from any use of balances as set out in Annexe G of the Director:Finance’s report;

                      viii.          Agrees the contribution of £0.375m to be made from revenue balances (before additional interest from the use of balances) to support revenue expenditure;

                        ix.          Recommends a 3.99% increase in the Council Tax for the Council’s services and that the Council Tax requirement, excluding Parish and Town Council precepts, be set as £63.475m;

                          x.          Recommends that the Council Tax for the Council’s services and that each Valuation Band is set as follows:

                        xi.          Recommends that the Council approves the following indicators, limits, strategies and policies included in Annexe E of the Director:Finance’s report:

·      The Prudential Indicators and Limits for 2020/21 to 2022/23 contained within Annexe E(i);

·      The Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Policy contained within Annexe E(ii);

·      The Treasury Management Strategy Statement, and the Treasury Prudential Indicators contained in Annexe E(iii);

·      The Authorised Limit Prudential Indicator in Annexe E(iii);

·      The Investment Strategy 2020/21 to 2022/23 and Treasury Management Limits on Activity contained in Annexe E(iv);

                       xii.          Approves the virements relating to the 2019/20 budget as set out in Annexe H of the Director:Finance’s report.

In accordance with the approval of the Procurement Plan by The Executive on 23rd July 2019, which agreed the delegation of the award of the new contract to the Executive Director: Delivery, the purpose of this report is now to seek approval to award the new contract.

The Enforcement and Parking Management Services contract that is due to commence on 1st July 2020 be awarded to Tenderer B.

       i.          Progress in implementing the Council’s “All of Us” Equality Scheme 2017-20 is noted.

      ii.          The Equality Scheme Monitoring Report 2018-19 at and the council’s Equality Monitoring reports for 2018-19 attached at B are approved for publication on the council’s website.

     iii.          thet‘All of Us’ Equality Scheme 2017-2020 containing our equalities objectives is refreshed and extended until March 2021.