No disclosures were received.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 7 November 2022 (enclosed)

The minutes of meeting held on 7 November 2022, as circulated, were approved and signed as a correct record.

Requests received by the Protocol deadline to be reported by the Senior Democratic Services Officer with details of the Agenda Item to which they relate. (Such persons entitled to use the Protocol attend for the purpose of making representations, answering questions or giving evidence relating to the business of the meeting and the time allocated to each person is a maximum of three minutes unless extended at the discretion of the Chairman).

No requests were received.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Executive (enclosed).

DECISION

That Cabinet accept the response to the recommendations as set out at Appendix 1 of the report.

Reason:

It is the duty of the Cabinet Executive to respond to Scrutiny reports and recommendations.

Considered – Report of the Planning and Strategic Growth Group Manager.

Other options considered: No other options were considered.

To consider the report of the Finance Group Manager (enclosed)

DECISIONS

1.    That the amount calculated by Blaby District Council as its National Non-Domestic Rate Base for the financial year 2023/24 shall be £48,831,009.

2.    That delegated authority is given to the Executive Director (Section 151) in consultation with the Portfolio Holder to make amendments, if required, to the draft National Non-Domestic Rate Base prior to submission of the NNDR1 return by 31st January 2023.

Reasons:

1.    The Council has a statutory obligation to set its National Non-Domestic Rate (NNDR) Base for 2023/24 by 31st January 2023.

2.    It is appropriate for the Executive Director (Section 151) to have authority to amend the National Non-Domestic Rate Base in line with the finalised NNDR1 submission, to ensure that all known factors are taken into account.

Considered – Report of the Finance Group Manager.

Other options considered: None. The setting of the NNDR Base is a statutory requirement.

To consider the report of the Council Tax Income & Debt Recovery Manager (enclosed).

DECISIONS

1.    That the Tax Base for the year 2023/24 is set at 34,369.72

2.    The amount calculated by Blaby District Council as the Council Tax Base for each of the District’s Parishes for the year 2023/24 is shown at Appendix C of the report.

3.    That the Tax Base is prepared without taking into account special expenses under Section 34a and 35 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992.

Reasons:

1.    The Council is statutorily required to set its base each year by 31st January before the subject year.

2.    To enable the Tax Base to be prepared without taking into account special expenses as explained below.

Considered – Report of the Council Tax & Debt Recovery Manager.

Other options considered: None. The setting of the Council Tax Base is a statutory requirement.

To consider the report of the Neighbourhood Services & Assets Group Manager (enclosed).

DECISION

That the frequency of garden waste collections be reduced from 23 to 20 per season by stopping monthly collections in December, January, and February from 2023/24 onwards be approved.

Reason:

To maintain a price freeze for the 2023/24 season at a time when customers are facing rising prices with the cost of living. The resulting service will continue to recover the costs of service; reflect the seasonal usage of the majority of customers; reduce fuel consumption and so contribute positively to reduce carbon emissions; as well as improving overall operational efficiency of the waste collection service.

Considered – Report of the Neighbourhood Services & Assets Group Manager.

Other options considered: None.

To consider the report of the Housing Services Manager (enclosed).

DECISION

That 2 current fixed term posts within the Housing Services Team be made permanent.

Reasons:

1.    To provide a long term solution to the current increased demand on the homelessness team and provide service stability through more effective staff recruitment and retention.

2.    To ensure that the Housing and Homelessness Service is sufficiently resourced to tackle the level and pressure of homelessness demand.

Considered – Report of the Housing Services Manager.

Other options considered: The Council has a statutory duty to prevent and relieve homelessness, therefore there is no other option but to resource the service adequately.