Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 13^th January 2011.

Subject to the insertion of the words “and a suggestion was made that variable speed restriction measures should be introduced as an interim measure on the A14” at the conclusion of paragraph 2 in Minute No. 74, the Minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 13^th January 2011 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Councillor N J Guyatt declared an interest in Minute No. 82 as a member of Cambridgeshire County Council and a Trustee of a Corporate Pension Fund.

A copy of the current Forward Plan, which was published on 13^th January 2011 is attached. Members are invited to note the Plan and to comment as appropriate on any items contained therein.

The Panel considered and noted the current Forward Plan of key decisions (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) which had been prepared by the Leader of the Council for the period 1^st February to 31^st May 2011.

To consider a report by the Head of Customer Services (TO FOLLOW).

(Councillor T V Rogers, Executive Councillor for Finance and Customer Services was in attendance for this item).

Pursuant to Minute No. 72 and with the assistance of a report by the Head of Customer Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Panel considered the outcome of further investigations into the options that are available for the delivery of the Council’s services through Customer Service Centres.

Analysis of service demand had indicated that it would not be possible to reduce employee levels at Huntingdon Customer Service Centre. However, it was reported that by transferring resources from St Neots during lower periods of demand, it would be possible to maintain a presence in Ramsey and Yaxley on two days per week. Members were of the view that this proposal should be adopted. Accordingly, it was

RESOLVED

a)  that it be recommended that Option B as outlined in the report now submitted be adopted; and

b)  that the Head of Customer Services be requested to submit a further report after a period of 12 months reviewing the impact of the changes to Customer Services.

To consider a report by the Head of Financial Services.

(Councillor T V Rogers, Executive Councillor for Finance and Customer Services was in attendance for this item).

(Councillors W D Clough, S J Criswell, P J Downes, C R Hyams, P G Mitchell and P D Reeve also were in attendance for this item).

In advance of their detailed discussions on the Budget, to assist them with their deliberations, the Chairman invited Mr D Morgan, Treasurer of Hunts Forum of Voluntary Organisations to address the Panel. As part of his presentation, Mr Morgan outlined the value of the activities of voluntary organisations in terms of the income they generated for the District in the context of the funding the Council provided for them through commissioning agreements. He also referred to the likely impact of proposed reductions in the funding in future years. The Panel discussed spending by voluntary organisations and the measures they were taking to reduce their own costs and their staffing costs. Councillor S Greenall also commented on the valuable role performed by the voluntary sector in the local community and emphasised the need to find ways to mitigate the proposed reduction in grant funding.

With the aid of a report by the Head of Financial Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Panel reviewed the Financial Strategy, Medium Term Plan (MTP) 2012 – 2016 and the Budget and level of Council Tax for 2011/12 in advance of their consideration by the Cabinet and final determination by the Council. Copies of comments made by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Social Well-Being) on the CCTV service were also tabled for the Panel’s consideration.

By way of introduction to the report, the Panel were acquainted with the changes that had been made to the Budget and MTP since they endorsed the draft Strategy at a previous meeting. Members were advised that the updated Plan identified savings of £6.6m in the period to 2015/16 and, although the draft Budget 2011/12 did not specify a need for further savings to be made, the MTP contained a requirement to find additional savings amounting to £2m. The Budget took into account lower than expected Government grant which, it was anticipated, would be offset by the New Homes Grant. Attention was drawn to the risks and sensitivity associated with the Financial Plan in the longer term, issues relating to employer’s pension contributions and proposed savings which were still being discussed. Members were reminded that if they wished to propose changes to the draft Budget, they should identify alternative options for the delivery of savings. They then discussed the costs of deferred savings and the assumptions which had been made for future Council Tax levels.

Members queried the current situation with regard to the items on which they had commented when previously considering the draft Budget. In response, it was reported that the operating costs for CCTV had been reduced and now amounted to £300k per annum for a basic service. Discussions with users would take place in the coming year  ...  view the full minutes text for item 82.

To consider a report by the Head of Financial Services seeking approval of the Treasury Management Strategy for 2011/12 and the Treasury Management and Prudential Indicators for 2011/12.

(Councillor T V Rogers, Executive Councillor for Finance and Customer Services was in attendance for this item).

In accordance with their responsibility for scrutinising Treasury Management and with the assistance of a report by the Head of Financial Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Panel reviewed the Treasury Management Strategy for 2011/12 and the Treasury Management and Prudential Indicators for the same period.

Members noted that they would be provided with further training on this subject in the next Municipal Year. Having received clarification of the Council’s use of capital reserves, it was

RESOLVED

that the Cabinet be recommended to endorse the Treasury Management Strategy 2011/12 and the Treasury Management and Prudential Indicators for 2011/12 for submission to the Council.

To consider a report by the Head of Law, Property and Governance providing an update on the National Performance Indicators in respect of the Council’s property portfolio for 2009/10 and other related issues.

The Panel considered the Annual Report by the Head of Law, Property and Governance (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) summarising the performance of the Council’s assets against a range of criteria and drawing attention to a range of related asset management issues. Having noted that there had been continued improvement in performance over the previous year, which demonstrated that the Council’s assets were provided and maintained in a fit and proper manner for the effective delivery of services, it was

RESOLVED

that the Cabinet be recommended to approve the Annual Report on the Asset Management Plan.

To consider with the aid of a report by the Head of Democratic and Central Services on the Panel’s programme of studies.

The Panel received and noted a report by the Head of Democratic and Central Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) containing details of studies being undertaken by the Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Panels. Members were advised that the study on the use of consultants was drawing to a close and the final report would be submitted to a future meeting.

Councillor M F Shellens outlined his concerns with regard to the proposed construction of a multi-storey car park in Huntingdon town centre and requested sight of the business case which had been prepared to justify the Council’s investment in it. Having been advised that relevant information had previously been presented to the Economic Well-Being Panel and to the Cabinet, Councillor Shellens agreed to review this information before making a suggestion on whether further consideration of this matter was required.

To consider a report by the Head of Democratic & Central Services on the Panel’s programme of studies.

The Panel received and noted a report by the Head of Democratic and Central Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) reviewing progress of matters that had previously been discussed by the Panel. Members noted the steps that were being taken in conjunction with other relevant authorities to lobby the Government on the need to up-grade the A14.

With regard to the report that had previously been requested on the effectiveness of District-Wide, in view of the Council’s budget proposals reported earlier in the meeting, it was agreed that this matter could be deleted from the Panel’s workplan.

The Panel received and noted the latest edition of the Council’s Decision Digest.