Democracy in Crawley

How decisions are made and who represents you

Decisions Made

Use the below search options to find information regarding recent decisions that have been taken by the council’s decision making bodies.

Alternatively you can visit the officer decisions page for information on delegated decisions that have been taken by council officers.

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Decisions published

11/02/2020 - Calculation of the Non-Domestic Rates Income for the Year 2020/2021 ref: 312    Recommendations Approved

The method of calculation is prescribed by statute. The briefing paper will show the calculation of the non-domestic rates income for the year and how this is shared between the central share, Crawley Borough Council and West Sussex County Council.

Decision Maker: Leader of the Council

Decision published: 12/02/2020

Effective from: 26/02/2020

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Paul Windust


10/02/2020 - Crawley Local Development Scheme 2020-2023 ref: 311    Recommendations Approved

A key legal requirement of the Local Plan Review is that it must be prepared in accordance with an up-to-date adopted Local Development Scheme (LDS). The current LDS was adopted in October 2019 by delegated decision by the Head of Economy and Planning.
This review of the LDS includes the timetable for the preparation of the proposed North Crawley Area Action Plan following the adoption of the emerging draft Local Plan Review (Crawley 2035).

Decision Maker: Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development

Decision published: 10/02/2020

Effective from: 19/02/2020

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Elizabeth Brigden


05/02/2020 - Social Value Charter ref: 307    Recommendations Approved

To agree to the implementation of the Social Value Charter. This will amlagamate the Developer & Partner Charter, Unite Construction Charter, and the Sustainable Procurement Charter into one document.

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Made at meeting: 05/02/2020 - Cabinet

Decision published: 10/02/2020

Effective from: 05/02/2020

Decision:

The Leader of the Council presented report FIN/488 of the Head of Corporate Finance. It was explained that currently Crawley Borough Council has several policies and charters that request the supply chain, through the procurement process, to support economic, environmental and social improvements in the community. The number of different Charters and policies had been found to be confusing for suppliers and officers trying to ensure that policy requirements were incorporated in relevant tenders. The Social Value Charter therefore seeks to combine these charters and policy commitments into one easy to read document.

 

Councillors Jhans, P Smith and Irvine all spoke in support of the proposal as part of the discussion on the report.

 

 

RESOLVED

 

That the Cabinet:

 

a)         approves the Social Value Charter for implementation (as detailed in Appendix A of report FIN/488) and its associated policy commitments.

           

b)         delegates authority to the Head of Corporate Finance in consultation with the Head of Legal and Democracy and HR and Head of Economy and Planning to finalise the Charter and arrangements for supplier sign-up, monitoring and make minor amendments to the Social Value Charter when required due to changes in policy or legislation, this will be in consultation with the Leader of the Council (Generic delegation 7 will be used to enact this recommendation).

 

c)         requests that a progress report be presented to Cabinet following the implementation and take up of the Social Value Charter in 12 months’ time

 

Reasons for the Recommendations

 

Having one Social Value Charter ensures that all of the Council’s policy commitments are in one easy to use document.  This benefits our suppliers by making our tender processes simpler to follow, clearly stating what our expectations are and enables us to more easily monitor their implementation.

 

 

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Jo Newton-Smith


05/02/2020 - Minutes ref: 309    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Made at meeting: 05/02/2020 - Cabinet

Decision published: 10/02/2020

Effective from: 05/02/2020

Decision:

The minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 15 January 2020 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Leader.

 


05/02/2020 - Irrecoverable Debts 2019/2020 ref: 306    Recommendations Approved

While the Council endeavours to collect all debts due to the Council, there will inevitably be some debts that remain irrecoverable. Individual debts of up to £50,000 can be written-off using delegated powers. This report will seek authority to write off individual debts in 2019 - 2020 of over £50,000 and also provide a summary of debts written off using delegated authority.

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Made at meeting: 05/02/2020 - Cabinet

Decision published: 10/02/2020

Effective from: 05/02/2020

Decision:

The Leader of the Council presented report FIN/490 of the Head of Corporate Finance, which sought approval to write-off debts to the Council that were considered to be irrecoverable and exceed the delegated limit of £50,000 per write-off. The proposed write-off in excess of £50,000 totalled £301,982.60.

 

 

RESOLVED

 

That the Cabinet approves the write-off of the Business Rates debt as set out below

 

Name and Address

Reason

Total

£

Genus UK Ltd      

15 County Mall

In Administration

57,529.67

Monsoon Ltd                             

10 & 11 County Mall

Entered into Company Voluntary Arrangements

82,320.00

Premier Parking Gatwick Ltd

Land Peeks Brook Lane

In Liquidation

162,132.93

Total

 

301,982.60

 

Reasons for the Recommendations

 

The Council’s Constitution necessitates amounts exceeding £50,000 requiring write-off to be approved by the Cabinet.

 

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Karen Hayes


05/02/2020 - 2020/2021 Budget and Council Tax ref: 310    Recommendations Approved

The Council has a statutory responsibility to set a council tax and budget in advance of the commencement of the new financial year (1 April to 31 March). During 2019/20 the Council will review its spending plans, consider options to amend spending to meet new priorities and consider comments received as part of the consultation process. This report will set the budget and level of council tax for the year 2010-2021 taking into account the above factors.

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Made at meeting: 05/02/2020 - Cabinet

Decision published: 10/02/2020

Effective from: 05/02/2020

Decision:

The Leader of the Council presented report FIN/491 of the Head of Corporate Finance which set out the Budget and level of Council Tax for the year 2020/21. It was noted that the report detailed each of the Revenue, Capital and Housing Revenue Accounts that combine together to formulate ‘The Budget’. In proposing the level of Council Tax for the Financial Year 2020/21, each of those accounts identified had been considered. The proposed Council Tax for 2020/21 was to be increased by 2.43%.

 

It was emphasised that the Council has a statutory responsibility to set Council Tax and its Budget in advance of the commencement of the new financial year (1 April to 31 March). The Council Tax had to be set by 11 March, each year.

 

The Cabinet was informed that the proposed Budget had been produced based on the principles set in the Budget Strategy which was approved by Full Council on 16 December 2019. That included achieving a balanced Budget over a three year period, including putting back into reserves when the Budget is in surplus.

 

The Leader emphasised that the Budget had been set against the background of general uncertainty over local government finance. It was noted that there had been two consultation papers relating to local government finance, namely the Fair Funding Review and the Business Rates retention reform. It had been expected to present their findings in advance of the Budget setting period, but both reviews had been deferred because of factors such as the General Election. The outcome of these consultations will change the way the Council is funded in the future, and as a result it will be difficult to project forwards.

 

It was noted that a supplementary agenda had been published that included a replacement to the table within paragraph 5.5.1 of the original report.

 

Councillor Rana presented the Overview and Scrutiny Commission’s comments on the report to the Cabinet following consideration of the matter at its meeting on 3 February 2020. The Commission Chair stated that the Budget report was generally well received at the Commission, where a lengthy and in-depth discussion was held with the Leader over the contents of the Budget report. It was conveyed that five Members of the Commission expressed their support for the report, with the other four Members preferring to abstain and reserve comments for the Full Council meeting being held on 26 February 2020.

 

Councillors P Smith, Irvine and Jhans all spoke in support during the discussion on the proposed Budget and Council report.

 

 

RESOLVED

 

That Full Council be recommended to approve the following items regarding the 2020/21 Budget:

 

a)         to approve the proposed 2020/21 General Fund Budget including savings and growth as set out in section 6 and Appendix 1 and Appendix 2 of the report FIN/491,

 

b)         to approve the proposed 2020/21 Housing Revenue Account Budget as set out in section 10 and Appendix 3 of the report FIN/491,

 

c)         to approve the 2019/20 to 2022/23 Capital Programme and funding as set out in paragraph 11.5 of the report FIN/491, 

 

d)         to agree that the Council’s share of Council Tax for 2020/21 be increased by 2.43% from £203.94 to £208.89 for a band D property as set out in paragraphs 5.5.1 and 13.3 of report FIN/491,

 

e)         to approve the Pay Policy Statement for 2020/2021 as outlined in paragraph 16.3 and Appendix 6 of the report FIN/491.

 

Reasons for the Recommendations

 

To provide adequate funding for the proposed level of services and to fulfil the statutory requirement to set a Budget and Council Tax and report on the robustness of estimates.

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Karen Hayes


05/02/2020 - Treasury Management Strategy 2020/2021 ref: 308    Recommendations Approved

This report will set the limits and method of investing the council’s surplus funds taking into account the statutory restrictions on local authority investments and borrowings. While the Council is debt free and expects to continue this policy for the foreseeable future, the report will set limits and establish procedures for any borrowings that may be required.

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Made at meeting: 05/02/2020 - Cabinet

Decision published: 10/02/2020

Effective from: 05/02/2020

Decision:

The Leader of the Council presented report FIN/493 of the Head of Corporate Finance which set out that the strategy covered two main areas: treasury management issues and capital related matters. It was noted that the Council was required under statute to produce a Treasury Management Strategy.

 

It was confirmed that the treasury management element, as referred to, ensures that the Council’s cash flow was adequately planned, with cash being available when it was needed to operate a balanced Budget. Whilst surplus monies were invested in low risk counterparties or instruments commensurate with the Council’s low risk appetite, providing adequate liquidity initially before considering investment return.

 

Whilst the capital element provides a guide to the borrowing need of the Council, essentially the longer term cash flow planning ensures that the Council can meet its capital spending obligations. That management of longer term cash may involve arranging long or short term loans, or using longer term cash flow surpluses. On occasion any debt previously drawn may be restructured to meet Council risk or cost objectives.

 

The Cabinet was informed that the Council’s investment priorities were security first, portfolio liquidity second and then yield (return). The Council’s ethical investment policy was also considered when investments were sought.

 

Councillor Rana presented the Overview and Scrutiny Commission’s comments on the report to the Cabinet following consideration of the matter at its meeting on 3 February 2020.

 

Councillor B Smith spoke as part of the discussion on the report, noting that the reason that there was no capital expenditure for her portfolio was due to the nature of the areas covered by her remit, which were more revenue based functions.

 

 

RESOLVED

 

That Full Council be recommended to approve:

 

a)         the Treasury Prudential Indicators and the Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Statement contained within Section 5 of report FIN/493;

 

b)         the Treasury Management Strategy contained within Section 6 of report FIN/493;

 

c)         the Investment Strategy contained within Section 7, and the detailed criteria included in Appendix 3 of report FIN/493.

 

Reasons for the Recommendations

 

The Council’s financial regulations, in accordance with the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) Code of Practice for Treasury Management, requires a Treasury Management Strategy to be approved for the forthcoming financial year.  The Local Government Act 2003 and supporting regulations requires Council to have regard to the Prudential Code and to set prudential indicators to ensure that the Council’s capital investment plans are affordable, prudent and sustainable.  Report FIN/493complies with these requirements.

 

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Paul Windust


29/01/2020 - Irrecoverable Debts 2019/20 (Under £50,000) ref: 305    Recommendations Approved

While the Council endeavours to collect all debts due to the Council, there will inevitably be some debts that remain irrecoverable. Individual debts of up to £50,000 can be written-off using delegated powers.

Decision Maker: Leader of the Council

Decision published: 03/02/2020

Effective from: 12/02/2020

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Karen Hayes