Decisions

Calculation of Council Tax Base and collection rate for the Borough for the year

(1)   That the Council's taxbase for the year 2021/2022 be approved, incorporating a collection rate of 99.40%. 

(2)   That in accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) Regulations 2012, the amount calculated by the Borough Council as its taxbase for the year 2021/2022 shall be 43,462.4 and its constituent elements shall be:

For  the  reasons  set  out  in  this  decision  notice,  and  following  full  consultation  in  which one formal objection was received, which was then considered at the Cabinet Planning  Parking  Panel  (CPPP)  where  members  voted  unanimously  in  favour  of  the  introduction  of  the  Traffic  Regulation  Order  (TRO)   and  relevant  restrictions.  I agree the following:

1. To introduce the following proposals (see Appendix A):

THE BOROUGH OF WELWYN HATFIELD (VARIOUS ROADS, ESSENDON) (RESTRICTION OF WAITING) ORDER 2020 – Appendix A

(Note: This decision was taken by Executive Member Decision Notice).

Date this decision was taken – 21 December 2020

Date of publication of the decision – 22 December 2020

For the reasons set out in this decision notice, and following full consultation in which six formal objections were received, I agree the following:

a) To introduce the following proposals (see Appendix A, B and C):

b) The Borough of Welwyn Hatfield (Various Roads, Salisbury Village, Hatfield) (Restriction of Waiting and Permit Parking Zones) Order 2020 (Appendix A)

c) The Borough of Welwyn Hatfield (Various Roads, Salisbury Village, Hatfield) (Prohibition of Stopping or Waiting on Verge or Footway) Order 2020 (Appendix B)

d) The Borough of Welwyn Hatfield (Albatross Way, Hatfield) (Clearway) Order 2020 (Appendix C)

(Note: This decision was taken by Executive Member Decision Notice).

Date this decision was taken – 21 December 2020

Date of publication of the decision – 22 December 2020

To receive an update on the multi-storey car park and to outline the traffic regulation order process.

That, subject to the approval of an appropriate TRO, Cabinet:

(1)   Agreed that the car park charges as summarised in Tables 1 and 2 of the report, be recommended for inclusion as part of the fees and charges of the charges to be considered by Council as part of the budget approval process for 2021/22.

(2)   Noted the contents of the report, in particular the project timetable in Table 3.

Award of Contract for the Sale of Consortium Newsprint

To consider and approve the proposed process and criteria for providing grants to local businesses for the purpose of improving their carbon footprint.

(1)   Cabinet considered and approved the proposed process and criteria for providing grants to local businesses for the purpose of improving their carbon footprint.

(2)   Cabinet agreed that the maximum grant to be paid to each eligible business will be up to £5,000 of agreed energy saving works and that all works to be undertaken by an eligible business must be recommended in the Council’s energy audit report, relevant to the particular business and which is provided to the business concerned.

(3)   That delegated authority be given to the Head of Planning in conjunction with the Executive Member, Governance, Public Health and Climate Change to amend the carbon emission reduction criteria should this be required once more detailed information becomes available through the energy audit on local business premises.

Approval of the Revenue, Capital and Housing Revenue Account Budgets, Fees and Charges and Council Tax Setting 2021/22

Approval of the Medium Term Financial Strategy 2021/22-2023/24

Approval of the Capital Strategy and Treasury Management Strategy

Cabinet approved the following budget proposals and noted that any comments from Overview and Scrutiny Committee will be returned to Special Cabinet on 19 January 2021 for consideration, before final recommendations are made to Council:

General Fund

(1)   The proposed General Fund Budget as summarised in Appendix A, and detailed in appendix B.

(2)   The inclusion of the savings and growth proposals into the budget as detailed in appendices C and D.

(3)   The approval of the 2021/22 fees and charges which have been incorporated into the budget proposals, as set out in appendix E.

(4)   The increase in the Council’s Band D Tax of £4.23 (1.97%), taking the average Band D Tax to £219.15 for 2021/22.

(5)   That £610,000 is added to the Covid-19 earmarked reserve from the 2021/22 budget, the expenditure of which will be delegated to the Section 151 Officer in consultation with the Executive Member for Resources. This will be fully funded from the one off Covid-19 Support Grant received from the Government.

(6)   That the Special Expenses Scheme continue into 2021/22, and the Special Expenses detailed in Appendix M be approved for inclusion in the Council Tax for 2021/22, subject to consultation with Town and Parish Councils.

Housing Revenue Account (HRA)

(1)   That dwelling rents are increased by CPI+1% in accordance with Government legislation, resulting in an average rent of £109.01 per week.

(2)   To continue the policy of charging formula rent when vacant properties are re-let.

(3)   The approval of the Housing Revenue Account budget for 2021/22 as shown in appendix F.

(4)   The approval of the 2021/22 fees and charges which have been incorporated into the budget proposals, as set out in appendix H.

(5)   The Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) to maintain HRA working balances to a minimum of 5% of rental income.

Capital Programme

(1)   The approval of the Capital Programme for 2021/22 to 2025/26 as set out in Appendix I.

(2)   The approval of the Capital Financing for the Capital Programme, for 2021/22 to 2025/26 as set out in Appendix J, and note the forecast capital balances in Appendix K.

Medium Term Financial Strategy

(1)   The approval of the Medium-Term Financial Strategy and Financial Governance Framework, including all annexes and prudential indicators for 2021/22 – 2023/24 as set out in Appendix L.

To award the contract for Demolition of 3-9 Town Centre to Goody Demolition Limited.

(Note: This decision was taken by Executive Member Decision Notice).

Date this decision was taken – 15 December 2020

Date of publication of the decision – 5 January 2021