Agenda item

To outline the Capital Strategy covering financial years 2020/21 -2022/23 and the supporting funding framework, providing a high-level overview of how capital expenditure, capital financing and treasury management activity contribute to the provision of local public services along with an overview of how associated risk is managed and the implications for future financial sustainability.

(All Members had been granted a dispensation by the Monitoring Officer to speak and vote on this item).

The Council considered a report (Agenda Item 16) which outlines the Capital Strategy covering financial years 2020/21 – 2022/23 and the supporting funding framework, providing a high-level overview of how capital expenditure, capital financing and treasury management actively contributed to the provision of local public services along with an overview of how associated risk was managed and the implications for future financial sustainability.

The Chairman noted that the heading in the table on page 72 of the agenda in paragraph 5.5 should read:

MOTION: Proposed by Councillor Ross Mackinnon and seconded by Councillor Dominic Boeck:

That the Council:

“approves and adopts the Capital Strategy and supporting Minimum Revenue Provision policy together with the revised Property Investment Strategy.”

Councillor Ross MacKinnon, in introducing the item, stated that he was delighted to propose the report. He outlined the areas where the funding would be used which included £40.5m on education, £45m on transport and infrastructure, £5.5m on maintaining a greener district and £10m to protect the district’s vulnerable children and adults.  £63m of  this funding would be derived from external sources and £47m from external borrowing . The report also set out the annual  revision of the Property Investment Strategy which included amendments arising from the recently issued CIPFA guidance about borrowing for out of district commercial investment.

AMENDMENT: Proposed by Councillor Jeff Brooks and seconded by Councillor Lee Dillon:

That the Council:

““approves and adopts the Capital Strategy and supporting Minimum Revenue Provision policy together with the revised Property Investment Strategy subject to the following amendments:

1.    Place Directorate

(a)      Additional Drainage Clearance

Cost £50,000

A one-off cost to help clear and improve aquifers and conduits, in light of recent flooding and localised drainage issues when there is heavy rain.

2.      Resource Directorate

(a)    Defibrillators

Cost £40,000”

Councillor Brooks commented that these were modest but important proposals which he encouraged the Council to adopt. Councillor Mackinnon responded by saying that there was already funding in the budget for flood alleviation  works. While he agreed with the principle of funding defibrillators he felt that the best way to address gaps in provision would be through Members Bids which would then mean matched funding could be sought from the local community.

The Amended Motion was put to the vote and declared LOST.

In accordance with Procedure Rule 4.15.2 it was requisitioned that the voting on the Amendment be recorded. The names of those Members voting for, against and abstaining were read to the Council as follows:

FOR the Amendment:

Councillors: Adrian Abbs, Phil Barnett, Jeff Brooks, Jeremy Cottam, Carolyn Culver, Lee Dillon, Billy Drummond, Owen Jeffery, Royce Longton, Alan Macro, David Marsh, Steve Masters,  Geoff Mayes, Andy Moore, Erik Pattenden, Martha Vickers, Tony Vickers, Keith Woodhams (18)

AGAINST the Amendment:

Councillors: Councillors: Steve Ardagh-Walter, Peter Argyle, Jeff Beck, Dennis Benneyworth, Dominic Boeck, Graham Bridgman, Jeff Cant, Hilary Cole, James Cole, Lynne Doherty, Clive Hooker, Gareth Hurley, Rick Jones, Alan Law, Tony Linden, Ross Mackinnon, Tom Marino, Graham Pask, Claire Rowles, Garth Simpson, Richard Somner, Jo Stewart, Andy Williamson, Howard Woollaston (24)

ABSTAINED:

None

AMENDMENT: Proposed by Councillor David Marsh and seconded by Councillor Carolyne Culver:

That the Council:

“approves and adopts the Capital Strategy and supporting Minimum Revenue Provision policy together with the revised Property Investment Strategy subject to the following amendments:

(a)          Page 75 5.16 (6) Transport Services Fleet Upgrade

Original text: £638k of additional funding to support community transport, increased provision of cycling facilities at schools and renewal of the council’s minibus fleet.

Amendment: Add “with ULEV vehicles” at end.

(b)          Page 87 Park House – Expansion

Original text: “Impact at Park House School of additional pupil numbers from Racecourse and Sandleford new housing developments”

Amendment: Delete “and Sandleford”, change “developments” to “development”.

(c)          Page 88 Robin Hood Improvements

Amendment: “The improvements to include fully integrated cycling infrastructure, with cycle footbridge to offer full connectivity across the A4, A339 and Shaw Road”.

20/21 capital spend: £100,000 on a feasibility study and initial work on this project.

(d)          Page 88 Sandleford Access Improvements

Amendment: Move the £1m grant money to 21/22, subject to agreement with the LEP, and defer any such “improvements” until when and if any Sandleford development is approved.

(e)          Page 89 Natural carbon reduction measures

Amendment: Bring forward £500,000 of the £1.25m from 21/22 to 20/21.

(f)           Page 89 Public transport infrastructure

Amendment: Treble the £50,000 earmarked for this, the extra £100,000 being used to start work on much needed improvements to Newbury bus station.”

Councillor David Marsh stated that while there were elements of the Capital Strategy and Programme his party supported the proposed amendments would improve it and would ensure better integration with the emerging Environment Strategy. Councillor Tony Vickers stated that while he supported most of the amendments he did not support the erection of a cycling footbridge at the Robin Hood Roundabout. In his opinion improvements to the under pass and better signage would be adequate.

Councillor Richard Somner stated that ULEV technology was not yet well enough developed to make the changes proposed in respect of minibus replacements but that this was something that could be revisited over time. The Council would lose the funding for the school access from the LEP if that amendment was accepted.

Councillor Carolyne Culver queried whether it would be possible to vote on the proposals individually. The Monitoring Officer stated that they would have to be voted on as a single item.  

The Amended Motion was put to the vote and declared LOST.

In accordance with Procedure Rule 4.15.2 it was requisitioned that the voting on the Amendment be recorded. The names of those Members voting for, against and abstaining were read to the Council as follows:

FOR the Amendment:

Councillors: Carolyn Culver, David Marsh, Steve Masters  (3)

AGAINST the Amendment:

Councillors: Councillors: Steve Ardagh-Walter, Peter Argyle, Jeff Beck, Dennis Benneyworth, Dominic Boeck, Graham Bridgman, Jeff Cant, Hilary Cole, James Cole, Lynne Doherty, Clive Hooker, Gareth Hurley, Rick Jones, Alan Law, Tony Linden, Ross Mackinnon, Tom Marino, Graham Pask, Claire Rowles, Garth Simpson, Richard Somner, Jo Stewart, Andy Williamson, Howard Woollaston (24)

ABSTAINED:

Councillors: Adrian Abbs, Phil Barnett, Jeff Brooks, Jeremy Cottam, Lee Dillon, Billy Drummond, Owen Jeffery, Royce Longton, Alan Macro, Geoff Mayes, Andy Moore, Erik Pattenden, Martha Vickers, Tony Vickers, Keith Woodhams (15)

Councillor Steve Ardagh-Walter stated that he welcomed the £3m set aside in the programme for solar projects and the £1m allocated for tree planting in the district. There was also funding set aside for cycling schemes and he thanked the Officers and Members for their enthusiastic contributions in this area. He also noted that the Community Bond and other vehicles would also be used to deliver some of the projects emanating from the emerging Environment Strategy.

Councillor Richard Somner welcomed the £45m of funding that had been set aside for large and small infrastructure projects that would improve the lives of residents and assist local businesses across the District. He also welcomed the ongoing funding for flood alleviation works which would build on the successful schemes that had already been implemented.

Councillor Dominic Boeck commented that he was excited by this ambitious programme and was especially pleased to see the £41m of funding for schools over the following three years.

Councillor Mackinnon concurred that this was an exciting programme and he therefore commended it to Members.

The Motion was put to the meeting and duly RESOLVED.

In accordance with Procedure Rule 4.15.2 it was requisitioned that the voting on the Amendment be recorded. The names of those Members voting for, against and abstaining were read to the Council as follows:

FOR the Motion:

Councillors: Steve Ardagh-Walter, Peter Argyle, Jeff Beck, Dennis Benneyworth, Dominic Boeck, Graham Bridgman, Jeff Cant, Hilary Cole, James Cole, Carolyne Culver, Lynne Doherty, Clive Hooker, Gareth Hurley, Rick Jones, Alan Law, Tony Linden, Ross Mackinnon, Tom Marino, David Marsh, Steve Masters, Graham Pask, Claire Rowles, Garth Simpson, Richard Somner, Jo Stewart, Andy Williamson, Howard Woollaston (27)

AGAINST the Motion:

None

ABSTAINED:

Councillors: Adrian Abbs, Phil Barnett, Jeff Brooks, Jeremy Cottam, Lee Dillon, Billy Drummond, Owen Jeffery, Royce Longton, Alan Macro, Geoff Mayes, Andy Moore, Erik Pattenden, Martha Vickers, Tony Vickers, Keith Woodhams (15)

The meeting was adjourned from 8.15pm to 8.25pm

Councillor Peter Argyle left the meeting at 8.15pm