Solihull Council

 noted the latest position regarding the completion of the 2005/06 budget;

With the exception of children’s placements, confirmed that entified budget pressures would only be supported where corresponding savings had been identified;

In respect of children’s placements, endorsed the actions proposed by CMT, the outcomes of which  be reported to the next meeting of Cabinet on 21 February 2005;

Noted the final settlement and indications in respect of capping criteria;

Approved the capitalisation of Asset Management SCIP funding as set out in the report;

Noted the outcomes of the consultation exercise and instruct officers to incorporate this into work on the Council Plan 2006-2009; and

Approved the prompt payment discount at 1.5%.

• Feedback from Cabinet portfolio holders on currently unfunded service pressures identified as part of the budget setting along with proposed methods of funding these pressures.

•  The review of business rates budgets in 2005-06

•  The proposed treatment of 2004-05 SCIP funding.

• The results of  consultation on the Council’s budget priorities

•  Prompt payment discounts

•  The final Local Government Finance Settlement

Agreed that fees should be charged for fulfilling requests for information under the FOI Act;

Agreed to the fee structure proposed in the report;

Agree to review the decision in 6 months time or sooner in light of any future event such as guidance from the Information Commissioner or Department for Constitutional Affairs, case law or changes to the Fee Regulations; and

Agreed the delgation of waiving fees to the Head of Corporate Performance Policy and Information.

Noted the Local Transport Plan settlement; and

 Approved the provisional programme of local safety schemes and other improvement works for the year 2005/06.

 Approved the proposal to expand Dickens Heath Primary School from September 2006 and proceed with the statutory process;

Asked Offciers to consult with a view to replacing the prsent Dickens Heath local area with a shared local area serving Tidbury Green Primary and Dickens Heath Primary Schools, should the expansion of Dickens Heath Primary School be approved.

(i)            Noted the key clauses of the Children Act and the implications for the Council;

(ii)           Noted the progress already made towards compliance with the Act;

(iii)          Noted that constitutional changes required for the Act were approved by Full Council on the 8 February 2005;

(iv)           Agreed to delegate to the Cabinet Portfolio Holder (Education and Children) responsibility for both responding, in consultation with opposition spokespersons (Education and Children), to consultations on the implementation of the Act, and, for ensuring, with the Director of Children’s Services, that the Council has clear operational arrangements for meeting the new duties of the Council under the Act; and

(v)            Agreed to specifically delegate responsibility to the Cabinet Portfolio Holder (Education and Children), in consultation with opposition spokespersons (Education and Children), for responding to the current consultations on the Inspection framework and the draft guidance on the roles of the Director of Children’s Services and the Lead Member.

(i)            The establishment of a partnership with West Midlands Police for the delivery of customer services, and

(ii)           The creation of a new Connect face to face service based in Shirley Police Station, subject to confirmation of the funding arrangements as a part of the overall budget agreement on 21st February 2005.

the charges for Car Parks are increasing by over 5%;

there are new charges for parking durations of 8 – 12 hours and Over 12 hours, with a maximum stay of 24 hours at Mell Square, Touchwood and John Lewis; and

there will be new charges for a limited availability of season tickets at Lode Lane Car Park.