Agenda and decisions

1.1 The purpose of this report is to seek approval to consult on a request from the hackney carriage trade to increase the maximum chargeable fares payable by the travelling public for hackney carriage journeys, subject to statutory consultation with the public.

1.2 The setting of fares is a power afforded to the Council and it is the Council’s responsibility to strike a balance between setting a fare that is acceptable to both the customer and to the hackney carriage driver. Decision making on this matter is a Cabinet responsibility.

1.3 A proposal has been received from the RMT Union, who represent a number of licensed hackney carriage drivers in Solihull, asking for an increase in fares, which is attached at Appendix A. This is the proposal that approval to undertake statutory consultation is being sought for.

1.4 Following the consultation, a report will be brought back to the Cabinet Member for a decision as to whether to adopt the proposal.

1.1 To consider the applications for discretionary rate relief as detailed in the appendices attached to this report.
1.2 Discretionary rate relief is available to support charities and not for profit organisations that are liable for business rates. Charities are eligible for 80% mandatory relief so a maximum of 20% discretionary rate relief can be considered. Not for profit organisations are not eligible for mandatory relief so up to 100% discretionary rate relief can be considered.

1.1 The purpose of this report is to update the Cabinet Member for Resources on the current status of the Capital ICT Projects Programme.
1.2 The first phase of the Oracle cloud programme is live and Officers expect that Oracle Phase 2 (HR and Payroll) will be live in February 2023. All of the other projects in the ICT Capital Programme are progressing well and to plan. Updates for specific projects are highlighted below in the main report.
1.3 Officers have no further recommendations for investment opportunities at this time.

1.1 The purpose of this report is to update the Cabinet Member and seek approval on the SMBC and SCH Digital Strategy 2022-2027.
1.2 The current Digital Strategy was written in 2017 and set out the vision and objectives for the Council through until 2022. The Strategy has provided clear direction by focusing on the Digital Citizen, Organisation and Community/Solihull.
1.3 The Strategy is updated annually with a full review every five years. This report provides an update on that five-year review and the revised Digital Strategy for approval.
1.4 After reviewing the existing strategy, much of it was still relevant and was kept with minor changes and additions. The core vision for the SMBC and the major thematic areas were retained with minor amendments, as well as the digital objectives, links to wider priorities, and strategic narrative.
1.5 An emphasis on staff and skills has been included in the new strategy, with a focus on how we develop staff to help ensure that they are enabled to work digitally.