Solihull Council

(i)            Noted the agreed policy to continue to fund the SCIPs in 2005/06 subject to the achievement of target outcomes;

(ii)           Advised Cabinet Portfolio holders of the requirement to fund any additional pressures from efficiency savings and gains in order to maintain the increase in Council Tax within 1% of the Government’s Assumed Increase;

(iii)          Approved the £0.958m of identified savings to take effect from 2005/06;

(iv)           Approved the allocation of £0.400 from the contingency in 2004/05 and £0.350m in 2005/06 supplemented by an additional £0.050m from working balances to Children’s Services;

(v)            Approved the inclusion of £0.400m within the base Children’s Services budget in 2006/07;

(vi)           Approved the continuation of the £1m Single Capital Pot Appraisal System in 2005/06 funded from prudential borrowing (£0.700m) and a top slice from service credit approvals (£0.300m).; and

(vii)          Noted the requirement to rephase the corporate capital programme in December.

(i)            of the agreed policy to continue to fund the SCIPs in 2005/06 subject to the achievement of target outcomes.

(ii)           to Advise Cabinet Portfolio holders of the requirement to fund any additional pressures from efficiency savings and gains in order to maintain the increase in Council Tax within 1% of the Government’s Assumed Increase.

(iii)          to approve the £0.958m of identified savings to take effect from 2005/06.

(iv)           to approve the allocation of £0.400 from the contingency in 2004/05 and £0.350m in 2005/06 supplemented by an additional £0.050m from working balances to Children’s Services.

(v)            to approve the inclusion of £0.400m within the base Children’s Services budget in 2006/07.

(vi)           to approve the continuation of the £1m Single Capital Pot Appraisal System in 2005/06 funded from prudential borrowing (£0.700m) and a top slice from service credit approvals (£0.300m).

(vii)          to note the requirement to rephase the corporate capital programme in December.

Agreed not to recommend either Option 1 or Option 2;

Agreed to seek revisions to the proposed Voluntary Compensation Schemes, in order to address the issues of uncertainty more effectively, based on the resolution of the resolution of the Regeneration and Community Safety Scrutiny Board, 10 September 2004; and

Agreed that the 57dB(A) noise contour should be included in the compensation package, as the Council’s preferred option.

Agreed to adopt the Council Procurement Strategy as detailed in the report; and

Approved the way forward for the Corporate Procurement Service as detailed in the Strategy document.

Agreed the response to the second consultation on Local Authority Business Growth Incentives as set out in the report; and

Agreed the response to the Small Business Rate Relief Response as set out in the report.

noted the areas of performance delivery, and

noted the corrective actions and further enquiries recommended to address areas of under performance.

Commented that the draft Strategic Framework for the regeneration area was a professional and comprehensive document; and

 approved the draft Strategic Framework for consultation, subject to the textual errors identified relating to Smith’s Wood ward being corrected.

 noted the latest position on the funding shortfall and absence of a commitment letter from Advantage West Midlands;

agreed to supplement the Capital Programme with a maximum of £380,000 contribution from the uncommitted education capital programme                 subject to receipt of a satisfactory letter from AWM;

Authorised Officers to proceed with the letting of contracts and operational leases to implement the programme once all funding is secure; and

Agreed to waive the call in period so allowing immediate action to be taken, and so avoiding anymore undue to delay.