Decisions

The Director of Resources submitted a report updating members regarding progress with the Council Tax Energy Rebate scheme.

Committee were reminded that the Government had announced a package of support in recognition of the growing cost of living pressures.

All eligible council taxpayers had now been paid the £150 payment ie 18,580 taxpayers totalling £2,787,000. 93.4% of which had been paid direct to their bank account with the others being credited to their council tax account.

A discretionary scheme had also been agreed to provide a £150 payment to Local Council Tax Support recipients in bands E to H on 1 April 2022 and to award a top up of £30.00 to Local Council Tax Support recipients in all council tax bands.

It was now suggested that the 1 April 2022 eligibility date be amended to 1 October 2022 to as there had been many changes to the eligible households during this time. Using the revised date meant that support would go to those households who were experiencing the greatest difficulties at this time. It would also allow an increase to the top up payment from £30.00 to £35.00 to all LTCS recipients.

RESOLVED THAT COMMITTEE

1.    Note that 100% of eligible households have received payment in relation to the core council tax energy rebate scheme, and

2.    Approve the change in the date for eligibility for the discretionary scheme from 1 April 2022 to 1 October 2022 and the increase in top up from £30.00 to £35.00 for eligible households.

The Director of Resources submitted a report seeking committee’s approval to write off a sundry debtor invoice where the debt was considered irrecoverable.

There was one case where the company had been dissolved.

RESOLVED THAT COMMITTEE

Approve the write off of a sundry debt of £785.00 plus costs of £437.02 totalling £1,222.02

The Director of Resources submitted a report seeking committee’s approval to write off Business Rate debts.

There was one case where the company had been liquidated.

RESOLVED THAT COMMITTEE

Approve the writing off total £8,182.13 in business rates with £60.00 costs where it has not been possible to collect the amount due.

The Chief Executive submitted a report seeking committee’s approval of the updated Whistleblowing Policy 2022.

CIPFA recommend that ‘leaders in public sector organisations have a responsibility to embed effective standards for countering fraud and corruption in their organisations. This supports good governance and demonstrates effective financial stewardship and strong public financial management’.

The amendments were intended to ensure that the Policy reflects best practice, and that there was clear oversight and recording by the Monitoring Officer. This would also ensure that investigations would be undertaken correctly and in a timely way. The policy would be reviewed and approved annually going forward.

*** RESOLVED THAT COMMITTEE

Endorse the Whistleblowing Policy as outlined and recommend its adoption to Council.

The Chief Executive submitted a report for information on the provisions of the Elections Act 2022.

The Act introduced several significant changes which will apply to UK parliamentary elections in Great Britain, local election in England and Police and Crime Commissioner elections in England and Wales.

The provisions were expected to be in place for the May 2023 elections and would make it easier for people with disabilities to vote, have a requirement for voters at polling stations to show photographic identification and change the counting system for mayoral elections from supplementary vote to First Past the Post.

The timescales for implementation were very tight and to guide Returning Offices with some guidance, the Electoral Commission had published a document to enable preparations to start.

A further report would be brought to committee in due course.

The Chief Executive also reported upon the outcome of the Parliamentary Boundary Review in that the proposal was for the Ribble Valley council area to be split in two with part of the borough being included in with Pendle district. A response had been invited by no later than 5 December 2022.

Members discussed this issue and felt that a response should be made but that councillors should have the opportunity to put their views forward in debate first.

Councillor Austin was given permission to speak on this item.

RESOLVED THAT COMMITTEE

Agree to set up a working group comprising of Councillors S Atkinson, S Fletcher, M Hindle and D Peat to meet prior to a Special Policy & Finance committee on Tuesday 29 November 2022.

The Director of Economic Development and Planning submitted a report updating members on the Clitheroe Food Festival.

The report outlined the success, challenges, and financial outcome of the 2022 Festival.

It was proposed to hold a Festival in 2023 on the weekend of 12 August. Consideration was currently being given to a two-day event and further suggestions would be subject of a further report to committee.

Members discussed the merits and challenges of holding a two-day event and asked that officers consider this carefully.

RESOLVED THAT COMMITTEE

1.    Approve a 2023 Food Festival to be held on the weekend of 12 August 2023, and

2.    Ask that a further report with suggestions on how the event should look be brought back to next committee.