Decisions

*RESOLVED –

1.    That the new role of Regulatory Law Administrator be added to the establishment and that recruitment takes place.

2.    That the funding arrangements described in section 6.0 of the officer’s report be approved.

*RESOLVED –

1.   That the section 137 grant to Chesterfield and District Shopmobility be ceased from the financial year 2023/24.

2.   That a section 137 grant of £9,531 be allocated to Chesterfield and District Shopmobility for the financial year 2022/23, subject to evidence of Shopmobility progressing the development of a self-funding/alternative funding plan and engaging with Links CVS and the Council in applying for alternative funding sources.

3.   That a taper to the section 137 grant for the financial year 2022/23 be applied. The grant funding will be:

·        Quarter 1 (April 2022 – June 2022) 100% of the 2021/22 grant level for the quarter = £5,447

·        Quarter 2 (July 2022 – September 2022) 50% of the 2021/22 grant level for the quarter = £2,723

·        Quarter 3 (October 2022 – December 2022) 25% of the 2021/22 grant level for the quarter = £1,361

·        Quarter 4 (January 2023 – March 2023) 0% of the 2021/22 grant level for the quarter = £0

REASON FOR DECISIONS

1.   To respond to the challenging financial position of the Council and providing value for money services.

2.   To facilitate a managed and steady withdrawal of funding, which will enable Shopmobility to continue to work with Links CVS and Chesterfield Borough Council officers to develop an alternative funding plan and begin its implementation.

*RESOLVED –

That the estimated surplus on the Council Tax Collection Fund of £600,100 be approved and allocated to the major precepting authorities as detailed in Appendix A of the officer’s report.

REASON FOR DECISIONS

To fulfil a statutory requirement and to feed into the budget setting process for 2022/23.

*RESOLVED –

1.    That, for 2022/23, individual social rents be set based on the current National Social Rent Policy, giving a rent increase of 4.1% with effect from 4 April 2022.

2.    That, for 2022/23 and onwards, where a social rent property is re-let to a new or transferring tenant the rent level be increased to the target rent for that property.

3.    That, for 2022/23, individual affordable rents be set based on the current National Social Rent Policy giving a rent increase of 4.1% with effect from 4 April 2022.

4.    That, for 2022/23 and onwards, where an affordable rent property is re-let to a new or transferring tenant the rent level be set by reference to 80% of the market rent (including service charges where applicable) for a similar property at the time of letting or the formula rent for the property, whichever is the greater.

5.    That the Housing Revenue Account service charges for 2022/23 be increased as set out in Appendix A of the officer’s report.

REASON FOR DECISIONS

1.    To enable the council to set the level of council house rents in accordance with Government guidelines and the Rent Standard.

2.    To enable the council to set service charges for 2022/23 and ensure the cost of delivering services continues to break even.

3.    To contribute to the council’s corporate priority ‘to improve the quality of life for local people’.

*RESOLVED –

1.   That the fees and charges for car parks be increased from 4 April 2022, as detailed in Appendix 1 of the officer’s report.

2.   That a further review of tariffs take place in 2024/25, in line with the current Parking Strategy which details the requirement for a 2-yearly review.

3.   That all residents of the Borough continue to benefit from free parking in 2022/23 before 10am and after 3pm Monday to Saturday, all-day Sunday and Bank Holidays, at selected surface car parks, using the Resident Parking Scheme.

4.   That the Service Director - Leisure, Culture and Community Wellbeing, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Town Centre and Visitor Economy, be granted delegated authority to apply appropriate fees and charges for new activities and opportunities that are introduced during the period covered by the report.

REASON FOR DECISIONS

1.   The 2020/21 Car Park Fees and Charges report noted that if the income target for 2020/21 was achieved then there would be no increase in tariffs for 2021/22 and a review would be made for 2022/23.

2.   The impact of COVID-19 significantly reduced car park income in 2021/22 however parking numbers have started to return to more normal levels of occupancy. It is anticipated that by 2022/23 levels will be back to pre-pandemic numbers.

3.   It is imperative that the Council receives an appropriate return on what are valuable town centre assets. The Council’s budget strategy is to deliver a balanced and sustainable budget. Given the forecast budget challenges it is important that all income streams are reviewed to support the delivery of a sustainable budget. As such a review of Car Park fees and charges is to assist the Council in achieving a balanced budget for 2022/23.