The Strategy and Resources Committee of Stroud Council was scheduled to consider a range of financial and strategic matters, including a significant proposal for additional capital funding to deliver temporary accommodation units. The committee was also set to review budget monitoring reports and the draft Medium Term Financial Plan, alongside a collaboration agreement for a Counter Fraud and Enforcement Unit.

Local Authority Housing Fund 3

A key item on the agenda was the Local Authority Housing Fund (LAHF) Round 3. The committee was to consider a report requesting approval for an additional capital budget to deliver further housing for those fleeing conflict and in need of temporary accommodation. This follows the successful acquisition of 20 properties under previous rounds of the LAHF, which are now held in the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) for households on Ukrainian and Afghan resettlement schemes. The report indicated that Stroud District Council had been awarded £1.277m in LAHF3 grant funding. This funding is intended for the acquisition of four properties for households on the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ARCS) and the construction of four temporary accommodation units. The report noted that the acquisition of the four Afghan resettlement properties could be accommodated within the existing capital budget for property acquisitions. However, a request for an additional capital budget of £1.2 million was being sought for the construction of the temporary accommodation units. The report highlighted that future rental income would be expected to cover the borrowing costs for any funding not covered by the grant. The committee was informed that Housing Committee had previously considered this report and recommended support for the grant funding and the request for additional capital budget.

Budget Strategy and Draft Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP)

The committee was scheduled to review the Budget Strategy and Draft Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) for the 2025/26 financial year. This agenda item aimed to set out an updated financial plan and the strategy that would guide the setting of the budget for the upcoming year. The accompanying documents included the Budget Strategy and Draft MTFP [https://stroud.moderngov.co.uk/documents/s13411/Budget+Strategy+and+Draft+MTFP.pdf], Appendix A - Draft MTFP [https://stroud.moderngov.co.uk/documents/s13412/Appendix+A+-+Draft+MTFP.pdf], Appendix B - Budget Adjustments [https://stroud.moderngov.co.uk/documents/s13413/Appendix+B+-+Budget+Adjustments.pdf], and Appendix C - HRA [https://stroud.moderngov.co.uk/documents/s13419/Appendix+C+-+HRA.pdf].

Budget Monitoring Report Quarter 1 2024/25

A report on the Budget Monitoring for the first quarter of the 2024/25 financial year was also on the agenda. This report was intended to present the committee with a forecast of the outturn position against the General Fund revenue budget, the Housing Revenue Account (HRA), and the capital programme for 2024/25. The aim was to provide an expectation of possible variances against the budget. The relevant document for this item was the Budget Monitoring Report Quarter 1 202425 [https://stroud.moderngov.co.uk/documents/s13402/Budget+Monitoring+Report+Quarter+1+202425.pdf].

Counter Fraud and Enforcement Unit Report

The committee was to consider seeking approval for a Partnership Collaboration Agreement for the Counter Fraud and Enforcement Unit. This agreement was proposed between Cheltenham and Tewkesbury Borough Councils and Cotswold, Forest of Dean, Stroud, and West Oxfordshire District Councils. The Counter Fraud and Enforcement Unit Collaboration Agreement [https://stroud.moderngov.co.uk/documents/s13400/Counter+Fraud+and+Enforcement+Unit+Collaboration+Agreement.pdf] and its appendix [https://stroud.moderngov.co.uk/documents/s13401/Appendix+1+for+Counter+Fraud+and+Enforcement+Unit+Collaboration+Agreement.pdf] were available for review.

Member / Officer Reports

Several reports were scheduled for noting by the committee:

• Performance Management: A report on performance management for Quarter 1 of 2024-25 was to be presented. This is detailed in Item 11a - Performance Monitoring Report - Q1 2024-25 v7 [https://stroud.moderngov.co.uk/documents/s13426/Item+11a+-+Performance+Monitoring+Report+-+Q1+2024-25+v7.pdf].
• One Legal Performance: The performance of One Legal for Quarter 1 of 2024-25 was to be reviewed, as outlined in Item 11b - One Legal Q1 - 202425 v2 [https://stroud.moderngov.co.uk/documents/s13415/Item+11b+-+One+Legal+Q1+-+202425+v2.pdf].
• Leadership Gloucestershire Update: An update on Leadership Gloucestershire was scheduled, with information provided in Item 11c -Leadership Gloucestershire Sep 24 [https://stroud.moderngov.co.uk/documents/s13424/Item+11c+-Leadership+Gloucestershire+Sep+24.pdf].
• City Region Board: A report concerning the City Region Board was listed as Item 11d - City Region Board - 050924 [https://stroud.moderngov.co.uk/documents/s13416/Item+11d+-+City+Region+Board+-+050924.pdf].
• Regeneration and Investment Board: An update from the Regeneration and Investment Board was also on the agenda, detailed in Item 11e - RIB [https://stroud.moderngov.co.uk/documents/s13425/Item+11e+-+RIB.pdf].

Work Programme

The committee was also scheduled to consider its work programme, with relevant documentation available as Late Pages - Work Programme 10th-Oct-2024 19.00 Strategy and Resources Committee [https://stroud.moderngov.co.uk/documents/b4574/Late+Pages+-+Work+Programme+10th-Oct-2024+19.00+Strategy+and+Resources+Committee.pdf?T=9] and SR Work Programme [https://stroud.moderngov.co.uk/documents/s13458/SR+Work+Programme.pdf].

Other items on the agenda included receiving apologies for absence, declarations of interest, and the approval of the minutes from the meeting held on 11 July 2024. The committee was also scheduled to address public and member questions, and to consider an appointment to the One Legal Management Board.