Agenda item

That Cabinet recommends to Council*

1.       That the Capital Investment Strategy be approved including:

a)      the Capital Programme and Capital Programme Financing (Appendices A and B to report CAB3495);

b)      the Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Policy Statement (Appendix E of the report);

c)       the Flexible Use of Capital Receipts Strategy (Appendix Gof the report); and

d)      the prudential indicators detailed in the report and Appendix F.

That Cabinet:

2.       That, subject to Council approval of the capital programme, the following capital expenditure in 2025/26 be approved:

a)    IMT equipment and software (£95,000) as detailed in paragraph 11.8.6 of the report.

3.       That the requirement to ensure Members have the right knowledge and skills to undertake their governance role be noted and that the ongoing support and training offered to members is continued and enhanced as required.

*NB recommendations to Council are not subject to call-in.

Councillor Cutler introduced the report and advised that the report had been considered by Scrutiny Committee on 4 February and the minutes of that meeting had been circulated to all present and published on the web here.  The Committee had asked a number of questions which had been responded to at the meeting.

At the invitation of the Leader, Councillor Lee addressed Cabinet as summarised briefly below.

He emphasised the importance of increasing the understanding of potential to maximise income from the council’s assets and noted that the Scrutiny Committee and Policy Committee chairs would be meeting to consider this further.  He also referenced consideration of possible future ideas for the use of the Guildhall building.

Councillors Cutler and Tod responded to the comments made.

Cabinet agreed to the following for the reasons set out in the report and outlined above.

RECOMMENDED (TO COUNCIL):

1.           That the Capital Investment Strategy be approved including:

a)         the Capital Programme and Capital Programme Financing (Appendices A and B to the report);

b)        the Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Policy Statement (Appendix E of the report);

c)         the Flexible Use of Capital Receipts Strategy (Appendix Gof the report); and

d)        the prudential indicators detailed in the report and Appendix F.

RESOLVED:

2.           That, subject to Council approval of the capital programme, the following capital expenditure in 2025/26 be approved:

a)    IMT equipment and software (£95,000) as detailed in paragraph 11.8.6 of the report.

3.           That the requirement to ensure Members have the right knowledge and skills to undertake their governance role be noted and that the ongoing support and training offered to members is continued and enhanced as required.