Agenda and minutes

Decision – That the notes of the meeting held on 16 December 2015 be approved.

Decision – That the oral report of the Leader of the County Council giving an update on a range of issues including how the ongoing work to manage the County’s ageing population and growing demand for services; the financial pressures facing the Council resulting in the need to find different ways of working, and how the public sector needed to make Staffordshire’s £7 billion public purse work even harder; be noted.

Cabinet Member for Economy, Environment and Transport

Reasons for the Decision – To review the impact of the County Council’s major events programme to date and to consider the refreshed 2016-2020 Sportshire strategy.

Decision – (a) That the refreshed Sportshire strategy (as described in Appendix 1 to the report) be approved.

(b) That the economic and social impact of the Sportshire major events programme to date be noted.

(c) That the proposals to tender for the 2017 UK Corporate Games be approved and that a feasibility study be conducted to explore the merits of an in-house events programme.

Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategy, Finance and Corporate Issues

Reasons for the Decision – The Local Government Act 2003 requires a local authority to have regard to the Prudential Code and to set Prudential Indicators for the next three years to ensure that its capital investment plans are affordable, prudent and sustainable. The Prudential Indicators are approved as part of the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS).  The Treasury Management Strategy is a key element of the MTFS as the planned capital expenditure programme drives the borrowing required.

Decision – (a) That, in accordance with the regulations, it be recommended to the County Council, at its meeting on the 17 March 2016, that the Annual Investment Strategy (AIS) 2016/17 (detailed in paragraphs 24 to 67 and Appendices 2 and 4of the report) be adopted.

(b)That, as required by guidance, the following policies (as described in paragraphs 91 to 100 to the report) be approved;

i) reviewing the strategy;

ii) the use of external advisers;

iii) investment management training; and

iv) the use of financial derivatives.

(c)That the proposed borrowing strategy for the 2016/17 financial year comprising:

• the use of cash in lieu of borrowing required in 2016/17;
• the use of cash to repay loans early, subject to market conditions;
• as a contingency the ability to borrow new loans as a result of;
  • unexpected changes in the capital programme;
  • a reduction in the level of cash balances; or
  • the repayment of LOBO’s;
• a forward borrowing strategy that will not be used in 2016/17; and
• a loan rescheduling strategy that is unlimited where this re-balances risk,
• The above to operate within the prudential limits set out in Appendix 5 to the report and in consultation with the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategy, Finance and Corporate Issues with respect to early loan repayment, raising new loans and loan rescheduling;

be approved.

(d) That, in accordance with the regulations, it also be recommended to the County Council that the Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) policy 2016/17 (as summarised in paragraphs 101 to 103; and as set out in full at Appendix 8 to the report), be adopted.

Cabinet Member for Learning and Skills

Reasons for the Decision – To consider the responses received and to determine whether to progress the proposal to publish a formal statutory proposal to close Dove First School linked with a proposal from the Lichfield Diocesan Board of Education that the school opens as a new Church of England voluntary controlled (VC) school on 1 September 2016.

Decision – That the publication of a statutory proposal to close Dove First School on 31 August 2016 be approved subject to a linked proposal from the Lichfield Diocesan Board of Education to open the school as a Church of England voluntary controlled (VC) school on 1 September 2016.

Leader of the Council and Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategy, Finance and Corporate Issues

Reasons for the Decision – To provide Cabinet with an overview of the county council’s performance (including the delivery of the Medium Term Financial Strategy) and the progress being made in delivering the three priority outcomes –

• The people of Staffordshire will be able to access more good jobs and feel the benefits of economic growth.
• The people of Staffordshire will be healthier and more independent.
• The people of Staffordshire will feel safer, happier and more supported in and by their Community.

Decision – That the report be received.

Decision – That the following decisions taken by Cabinet Members under delegated powers be noted:

The Forward Plan of Key Decisions for the period 17 February to 15 June 2016, which detailed the following issues, was approved:

RESOLVED - That the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business which involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the paragraph of Part One of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) indicated below.

PART TWO

(exemption paragraph 3)

Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategy, Finance and Corporate Issues and Cabinet Member for Economy, Environment and Transport

(Exemption paragraph 3)

Reasons for the Decision – To consider the outcome of the County Council’s negotiations with the National Trust in respect of the proposed surrender of the lease of the Shugborough Estate.

Decision – (a) That Staffordshire County Council surrenders the lease made between the National Trust and Staffordshire County Council dated 5th May 1966 (“Lease”) which they currently hold on the Shugborough Estate.

(b) That to effect the surrender, Staffordshire County Council:

(i)            Makes a payment of £20.5 million pounds (net of VAT), in three equal parts (£6.83million pounds), over three years to the National Trust.

(ii)          Transfers the legal estate of 26 hectares of land (shown coloured yellow on Appendix C to the report) to the National Trust and enter into an Asset Transfer Agreement with the National Trust to transfer the relevant assets from Staffordshire County Council to the National Trust.

(iii)         Grants a right of first refusal to the National Trust for a period of 50 years from the date of the surrender for the National Trust to purchase the land shown edged green (on Appendix D to the report) at a price to be agreed if Staffordshire County Council ever decides to sell or lease all or part of the land shown edged green.

(c) That Staffordshire County Council agrees to enter into two leases for the Walled Garden and the County Museum on terms to be agreed.

(d) That the final decision on the above be delegated to the Cabinet Members for Economy, Environment and the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategy, Finance and Corporate Issues in conjunction with the Director for Finance and Resources.

(e) That Staffordshire County Council agrees to work in partnership with the National Trust to ensure a smooth transition of the Shugborough Estate by November 2016.

(f) That once  ...  view the full minutes text for item 65.