Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 3^rd November 2011.

Subject to the insertion of the letter “M” at the end of the second line of paragraph 2 in Minute No.60, the Minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 3^rd November 2011, were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Councillor R Harrison declared a personal interest in Minute No.66 as an employee of the Highways Agency.

A copy of the current Forward Plan 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). In so doing, the Chairman reported that he had received notice that an Executive decision would be taken on the 2012/13 Council Tax Base by the Chairman of the Corporate Governance Panel and the Council’s Section 151 Officer on 5^th December 2011.

With regard to the item on the ‘Great Fen Supplementary Planning Document’, Councillor P G Mitchell suggested that it would be useful to see the details of the Commercial Plan which was being developed for the Great Fen Project. It was agreed that the Chairman would liaise with the Chairman of the Environmental Well-Being Panel and that the report should be circulated to Members when it became available. Members were also advised that the report on the ‘Location of the Call Centre had been delayed to February 2012.

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

The Panel received and noted a report by the Head of Legal and Democratic Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) containing details of studies that were being undertaken by the Overview and Scrutiny Panels for Social and Environmental Well-Being. Having noted that a report on CCTV provision was expected to be considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Social Well-Being) at its meeting in January 2012, Councillor P G Mitchell indicated that he would pursue his interest in the subject through that Panel. The Chairman then indicated that the Panel should take into consideration ongoing work on voluntary sector support during its deliberations on the Council’s budget in the New Year.

To consider a report by the Head of Legal and Democratic Services.

(At 19.10pm, Councillor R B Howe took his seat at the meeting).

The Panel received and noted a report by the Head of Legal and Democratic Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) reviewing progress on matters that had been previously discussed by the Panel. The Vice Chairman reported that the One Leisure Working Group would be meeting on 8^th December 2011 to consider a draft report containing a series of recommendations. It was hoped the recommendations would be taken into account during the current budget setting process. There was some further work to be done on the future strategic direction of the service.

With regard to the proposed improvements to the A14 and the recent announcement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on this subject, the Scrutiny and Review Manager explained that an update would be circulated to all Members shortly. The Chairman reminded Members that a briefing on the Community Infrastructure Levy was scheduled to take place prior to the full Council meeting on 14^th December 2011.

To consider a report by the Head of Financial Services prior to its consideration of the Cabinet.

(Councillor J A Gray, Executive Councillor for Resources, was in attendance for this item. Councillors J D Ablewhite, Mrs M Banerjee, B S Chapman, N J Guyatt and D M Tysoe were also present).

Consideration was given to a report by the Head of Financial Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) which contained the draft Budget for 2012/13 and Medium Term Plan (MTP) prior to its submission to the Cabinet and Council. Councillor J A Gray, Executive Councillor for Resources, explained that many of the Council’s decisions continued to be influenced by external events and difficult financial decisions would be required for a number of years. He then presented an outline of the Council’s current financial situation, which included the progress that had been made towards achieving the current and next year’s savings targets, some of the significant variations within the Financial Plan including the introduction of the New Homes Bonus and details of the savings which still needed to be achieved over the MTP period. He reiterated that although the efficiency savings that had been achieved were higher than anticipated in the current year, the Cabinet was not complacent and was mindful of the need to achieve further savings in due course.

Having received a detailed presentation by the Head of Financial Services on the content of the report and attention having been drawn to a revision to Section 5 of the report, the Panel proceeded to examine in detail each section of the report. Councillor M Banerjee referred to the risks associated with the sums anticipated from the New Homes Bonus and the level of return which was expected from the Huntingdon multi-storey car park. In response to the first point, the Executive Councillor explained that the Council’s Planning Team had already undertaken work to establish the planning projections for future years and that a number of initiatives were being introduced to encourage first time buyers. Whilst the new Homes Bonus had been clearly identified as a risk, if the funding were not forthcoming, the Formula Grant would not be top-sliced. With regard to other risks identified in the report, Members queried whether the planning fees associated with the Enterprise Zone should also be highlighted as a risk for the Council. It was suggested that the level of fees that might be received should be assessed and identified within the financial plan either as a risk or an unknown factor.

With regard to the supplementary capital estimate for Huntingdon multi-storey car park, Members queried whether a sensitivity analysis had been undertaken on the projected levels of take up. They were informed that whilst information had been previously provided, the Executive Leader would need to be convinced of the accuracy of the information before the necessary legal agreements were completed. Having requested sight of the revised financial figures, the Panel was advised that the project had already been approved and the only change was that Trinity Place Car Park would now not be sold  ...  view the full minutes text for item 67.

To scrutinise decisions taken since the last meeting as set out in the Decision Digest and to raise any other matters for scrutiny that sit within the remit of the Panel (TO FOLLOW).

The Panel considered and noted the latest edition of the Council’s Decision Digest (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book).