Agenda item

(i) Treasury Management, Annual Investment and Minimum

Revenue Provision Strategies 2013/14

Members were informed that the management of the County Council’s cash flows and borrowing had a significant impact on the budget.  The Cabinet, at their meeting on 16 January 2013, approved the proposed strategies for the 2013/14 financial year.  Adoption of the Annual Investment Strategy (AIS) and the adoption of the Minimum Revenue Provision policy were however, matters that were reserved for the Full Council to determine.

Mr P.E. Jones indicated that the Assets and Budget Select Committee had scrutinised this matter and were of the view that the strategies were soundly based.

RESOLVED – That, in accordance with the regulations:

(a) The Annual Investment Strategy (AIS) 2013/14 as described in paragraphs 35 to 85 and as detailed in Appendices 2, 3 and 5of the report considered by the Cabinet (attached) be adopted.

(b) That the Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) policy 2013/14 as summarised in paragraphs 125 to 127; and as set out in full at Appendix 9 to the report considered by the Cabinet (attached), be adopted.

(ii) Members’ Allowance Scheme – Independent Remuneration Panel Report

Members were informed that the County Council was required to establish and maintain an Independent Remuneration Panel to provide advice and recommendations to the Council on its Members’ Allowances Scheme.  Any decisions on the nature and level of allowances were a matter for the full Council, but the Council must have regard to any recommendations submitted by the Independent Remuneration Panel before establishing or amending the Members’ Allowances Scheme.  The Independent Remuneration Panel’s report of March 2013, including recommendations on the Members’ Allowances Scheme for 2013/14 had been circulated to all Members and copies had been placed in the group rooms and the Members’ library.

RESOLVED – (a) That the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel be approved

(b) That Members’ Allowances be frozen for the 2013/14 Municipal Year at the 2008/09 rate (i.e. a basic allowance of £8,933).

(c) That the period of office for Ray Betteridge, Jane Landick, Gerald Griffin and Ian Starkie as members of the Independent Remuneration Panel be extended for a further period of 12 months to 31 March 2014.

(iii) Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Joint Waste Local Plan 2010 – 2026

Members were informed that the County Council had worked jointly with Stoke-on-Trent City Council to prepare the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Joint Waste Local Plan 2010 – 2026.  The new policies in the Plan would guide the Councils in determining planning applications for the development of waste management facilities up to 2026. The Plan would replace the policies in the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Waste Local Plan 1998 – 2011 adopted in 2003. The Plan would also meet requirements to ensure compliance with the EU Waste Framework Directive. The Joint Waste Local Plan was submitted to the Secretary of State on 20 January 2012 and was subject to examination by an independent Planning Inspector.  Main modifications and minor changes (endorsed by the County Council Planning Committee in August 2012, approved by the City Council Cabinet in August 2012 and the County Council Cabinet in September 2012, and consulted on during October and November 2012) were submitted to the Planning Inspector in January 2013 for consideration alongside the submitted Plan. On 4 February 2013, the Councils received the Planning Inspector’s report which concluded that with the main modifications proposed by the Councils, the Joint Waste Local Plan was sound, legally compliant and capable of adoption.

Mr Winnington informed the Council that, on 6 March 2013, a letter was received from solicitors acting for an individual who very actively participated in the examination process throughout. The letter alleged that the Plan was legally flawed as too much reliance had been placed on certain documents and proper consultation had not taken place and therefore it should be withdrawn, otherwise a challenge would be considered under s113 Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004. However the County Council’s QC had advised that the allegations were completely without merit and that the adoption of the Plan should go ahead.

Mr Davis moved and Mr Huckfield seconded the following amendment:

“That consideration of paragraphs five and six of the report be deferred until the next meeting of the County Council to allow more time to consider the possible legal challenge.”

Mr P. Davies indicated that the Planning Committee had also considered the letter alleging that the Plan was flawed but were of the view that there was no reason to defer the adoption of the Plan.

The Monitoring Officer informed the Council that the issues raised in the letter were not new and had been dealt with during the examination into the Plan.  He also indicated that it was not considered necessary to defer the adoption of the Plan to allow more time to consider the legal issues that had been raised.

Following a vote, the Chairman declared the amendment lost.

Mr Winnington extended his thanks to the Council’s Commissioner for the Sustainable County (Mr I Benson) and his colleagues for their work in producing the Joint Waste Local Plan.

RESOLVED – That the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Waste Local Plan 2010 – 2026 be adopted with the main modifications and minor changes as recommended by the Inspector in accordance with section 23 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 and made available in accordance with Regulations 26 and 35 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Development) (England) Regulations 2012.