Agenda and decisions
Venue: The County Room - Somerset County Cricket Club. View directions
Contact: Democratic Services: Email: democratic@somerset.gov.uk
Media
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Apologies for Absence To receive any apologies for absence. |
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Declarations of Interest To receive and note any declarations of interests in respect of any matters included on the agenda for consideration at this meeting.
(The other registrable interests of Councillors of Somerset Council, arising from membership of City, Town or Parish Councils and other Local Authorities will automatically be recorded in the minutes: City, Town & Parish Twin Hatters - Somerset Councillors 2023 ) |
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Public Question Time The Chair to advise the Committee of any items on which members of the public have requested to speak and advise those members of the public present of the details of the Council’s public participation scheme.
For those members of the public who have submitted any questions or statements, please note, a three-minute time limit applies to each speaker and you will be asked to speak before Councillors debate the issue. Please note: as this is a special meeting of Full Council, only questions and statements relating to items on the agenda will be accepted.
We are now live webcasting most of our committee meetings and you are welcome to view and listen to the discussion. The link to each webcast will be available on the meeting webpage, please see details under ‘click here to join online meeting’. |
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Council Organisation Structure To consider the recommendations from the Leader and Executive and the Chief Executive.
All the final structure charts can be viewed in Appendix E Additional documents:
Decision: Councillor Theo Butt Philip proposed that the Council accept the recommendations. This was seconded by Councillor Bill Revans.
The proposal was carried.
RESOLVED
1. To endorse the proposed organisational structure as set out in the report and its appendices, ahead of the decision by the Head of Paid Service.
2. To note that where any proposed changes to service delivery, as a result of the organisation structure proposals, would impact on existing approved service standards, Executive have delegated authority to the relevant Service Director to revise the service standards and also complete a review of any impacted plans and policies (in consultation with their Executive Lead Member) before the end of May 2025. These were set out in Appendix B of the report.
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Housing Revenue Account Rent Setting and Fees and Charges 2025-26 To consider the recommendations from the Leader and Executive. Additional documents:
Decision: Councillor Federica Smith-Roberts proposed the Council accepted the recommendations in the report. This proposal was seconded by Councillor Mandy Chilcott.
The proposal was carried unanimously.
RESOLVED
That Full Council approve:
1. Rent Setting for 2025/26
a. An increase of 2.7% on Dwelling Rents for 2025/26 in line with the Governments Rent Standard. b. An increase of 2.7% for Sheltered and Extra Care housing rents in line with the dwelling rents increase. c. An increase of 2.7% for Shared Ownership properties. d. An increase of 2.7% on affordable rental tenures, with the rent being reviewed at relet based on 80% of open market rent capped at the LHA rate.
2. Fees and Charges for 2025/26
a. The Service Charges for 2025/26 as shown in Appendix A of the report for Homes in Sedgemoor and Appendix B of the report for the In-House Service. b. An increase of 2.7% for garage rents in the North. c. A freeze on garage rents in the West. d. An increase of 1.7% on temporary accommodation daily rates. e. An increase of 1.7% for Meeting Hall hourly rental rates. f. An increase of 1.7% for Guest Room charges. g. To discontinue the lifeline subsidy from 1 April 2025 for all new tenants (whereas existing tenants will still benefit from this protection).
3. To note that the Revenue Budget for 2025/26, Capital Budget for 2025/26 to 2029/30, MTFP and 30-Year Business Plan Update will be presented to a later Executive / Full Council in February 2025.
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Interim External Auditor's Annual Report for 2023-24 To consider the External Auditor's two statutory recommendations and Annual Report for 2023-24. Additional documents:
Decision: Councillor Mike Hewitson proposed that the Council accept the recommendations in the report. Councillor Liz Leyshon seconded this proposal.
The proposal was carried.
RESOLVED
1. To note the two Statutory Recommendations in the Auditor’s Report and 2. Endorse the management responses and proposed actions set out in the report to Council.
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Somerset Council Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act To consider the recommendations from the Leader and Executive. Additional documents:
Decision: Councillor Bill Revans proposed that the recommendation set out in the report be approved. This was seconded by Councillor Mandy Chilcott.
The proposal was carried unanimously.
RESOLVED
To agree that the former Somerset County Council’s Covert Surveillance (RIPA) Policy attached to the Report be re-adopted as amended, as the RIPA Policy for Somerset Council.
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Questions from Councillors to the Executive Councillors are required to give notice of any such question in writing to the Monitoring Officer no later than 5pm providing three clear working days’ notice before the meeting, in order to be guaranteed a written response. For this meeting the deadline is 5pm on Thursday 6 February 2025.
Details of any questions received will be circulated to all councillors prior to the meeting and made available at the meeting and on the Council’s website.
Any question received after 5pm on Thursday 6 February and no later than 9am 12 February may only receive a verbal response at the meeting or the Chair may direct them to the appropriate committee or the next meeting of the Council.
Questions may be asked without notice and councillors are limited to one minute to put their question. Supplementary questions can only be asked with the consent of the Chair. The Chair will determine the number of questions asked without notice and the total time allocated for this item.
Councillors are reminded of the opportunities outside of the Council meeting to raise matters directly with the Leader of the Council, Executive Lead Members or Directors. In addition, Councillors can raise questions at meetings of the Executive.
Please note: as this is a special meeting of Full Council, only questions and statements relating to items on the agenda will be accepted. |