Decision Details

C.... Motion that the recommendations contained in draft minute 232 of the Cabinet meeting of 31 January 2018 and the recommendations contained in the Assistant Director Policy and Place's report entitled "Precept and Council Tax Levels 2018-19" be approved and adopted. 

Please note that in accordance with the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 15(3) any motion or amendment on the setting of the Council budget must be subject to a named vote. 

Main Amendment 

Proposer: Councillor Laws

That the recommendations contained in minute 232 of the Cabinet meeting of 31 January 2018 and the recommendations contained in the Assistant Director Policy and Corporate’s report entitled “Precept and Council Tax Levels 2018-2019” be approved and adopted, subject to the necessary amendments to give effect to the following:-

1.         To allocate £100,000 to 'deep clean' the Historic Old Town centre, return civic pride and challenge the 'broken window effect' cycle. Funded by reinvestment of savings from management restructuring into the front line. 

2.         To use the £92,000 Heritage Reserve to light up and enhance our historic Roman City Walls, Jumbo and historic monuments. To allocate £200,000 from the New Homes Bonus for the capital costs of installation. 

3.         To allocate £200,000 to introduce weekly black bag collections with a 2 bag limit per week to address residents storage and hygiene concerns. This will be delivered through efficiency savings, achieving income targets and allocated against the end of annual elections (£177k). 

4.         To use the £250,000 allocated to the RIF to prioritise investment into town centre regeneration schemes such as at St Nicholas Square and at the public realm around Jumbo. To urgently prepare for feasibility of such schemes. For example, an archaeological investigation of St Nicholas Square with potential schemes laid out to enhance the public realm. This will enhance and revitalise the historic town centre for residents and visitors, making it a more attractive experience day and night and see a tangible return to the council through the appreciation of assets - and potential further income opportunities. 

5.         To invest £200,000 into the Local Highway Panel to deliver safer roads, pathways and communities from the New Homes Bonus. 

6.         To ring fence the remaining New Homes Bonus and place it into an ‘Infrastructure and community facilities fund’ to help reduce congestion, improve connectivity and ensure a greener borough.