Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 4th December 2014.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 4th December 2014 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive from Members declarations as to disclosable pecuniary and other interests in relation to any Agenda Item.

No declarations of interests were received.

A copy of the current Notice of Key Executive Decisions, which was published on 16th December 2014 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 Notice of Key Executive Decisions (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book).

To consider a report by the Head of Resources.

(All Members of the Council are invited to attend for the discussion on this item).

(Executive Councillors J D Ablewhite, B S Chapman and J A Gray were in attendance for the discussion on this item).

Consideration was given to a report by the Head of Resources (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) on the draft 2015/16 Revenue Budget and Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) 2016/17 to 2019/20.

The Panel welcomed the new format of the report and supported the Executive Councillor for Resources’ expression of gratitude for the work of the Resources section in preparing the Budget. Members further recognised the significant milestone that producing a Budget surplus represented.

The Panel was acquainted with the provisions made and trends in various areas and questioned Executive Councillors about the saving they had made, what their plans were for the future and what impact any changes would have on the public. Members noted:

·  the portfolio for Customer Services had identified in the order of £500k in savings. This was in addition to £2m in savings in recent years. Further areas of potential savings were being investigated;

·  the portfolio for Resources had identified approximately £450k in savings. This portfolio would make significant investments in the next few years to generate income, and

·  the Executive Leader referred to his intention to pursue an overall strategy of investment in assets to produce income coupled with a more commercial approach to appropriate services. He would challenge Officers to achieve savings targets earlier than indicated in the report and stressed that, where changes were to be made to services, Overview and Scrutiny would be involved in assessing their impact on residents.

The aim was for the Council to produce a surplus each year and capital investments were a key way that this would be achieved. The current report did not contain figures for asset investments. Generally, it was expected that for every £13m invested, £1m of income would be produced. The Council could potentially borrow £60m and it was planned to introduce a framework to enable investment decisions to be made. Members supported this approach and asked for regular monitoring reports on progress.

The Panel was made aware that future government grant was likely to change if there was a change in Government. There was a possibility that the eligibility criteria would change from a performance basis to a needs basis. The Panel noted that the District would still qualify for grant if the latter was introduced. The other way that income from the Government might vary was through changes to the New Homes Bonus. However, it was likely that if it was removed, this income would be received in another form.

All areas of the Council would be defining their service standards and levels over the next year. The Panel was of the view that the impact of any changes should be assessed. A comment was made that benchmarking should take place; in which case, some areas could potentially experience an increase in their standards.

On the question of Council Tax, the Panel noted that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 73.

To consider a report on the work programmes of the Social and Environmental Well-Being Overview and Scrutiny Panels.

A report containing details of studies that were being undertaken by the Overview and Scrutiny Panels for Social and Environmental Well-Being was received and noted. A copy of the report is appended in the Minute Book.

To consider a report detailing progress on the Panel’s activities.

The Panel received and noted a report (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) outlining the progress that had been made on matters, which had previously been discussed.

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

The Panel received the latest edition of the Decision Digest (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book).