Agenda and minutes

To elect a Chairman of the Panel.

RESOLVED

that Councillor G J Bull be elected Chairman of the Panel for the remainder of the Municipal Year.

Councillor G J Bull in the Chair.

(At 7.00pm, after the commencement of the meeting, Councillor B Hyland entered the room).

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Economic Well-Being) meeting held on 8th December 2015.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Economic Well-Being) held on 8th December 2015 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.

To appoint a Vice-Chairman of the Panel.

RESOLVED

that Councillor D Harty be appointed Vice-Chairman of the Panel for the remainder of the Municipal Year.

A copy of the current Notice of Key Executive Decisions is attached. Members are invited to note the Plan and comment as appropriate on any items contained therein.

The Panel received and noted the current Notice of Key Executive Decisions (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) which has been prepared by the Executive Leader for the period 1st January 2016 to 30th April 2016.

The Panel is to receive an update on the 2016/17 Draft Budget and the Medium Term Financial Strategy.

By means of a report by the Head of Resources (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Panel was updated on the Draft Budget for 2016/17 and the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS). Members were informed that savings of £2.2m had been found through the Zero Based Budgeting (ZBB) process and this was expected to rise to nearly £4m by 2021.

The Panel had been advised that there has not been any growth within the budget except for items where it was unavoidable such as additional pension costs, statutory technical adjustments and some limited budget corrections.

Members noted that the budget for 2016/17 and MTFS was based on a Council Tax freeze over the period of the MTFS. As the Government has indicated that they would like Local Authorities to be self-financing the Council is expected to see a reduction in the number of grants received.

A cause for concern was highlighted in respect to the anticipated deficit of £637k the General Fund would have by the end of 2021. This would be as a result of a reduction in Government funding and contributions from the reserve towards the budget over the life of the MTFS. As such Members were told that budget savings of £3m would have to be sought by 2021.

The Panel has been acquainted with three options the Council has to consider in order to ensure it is budgeting in a sustainable manner both in terms of on-going revenue and funding and its reserves. The options are:

1)  Maintain the current level of reserves and Commercial Investment Strategy (CIS) investments and continue the programme of ZBB reviews in order to find the necessary savings to bring the General Fund reserve back to prudent recommended levels.

2)  The decision to transfer £6.8m from the General Fund reserve to the CIS earmarked reserve is reversed. As a result the approved CIS business case will need to be reviewed.

3)  Take a less aggressive view on the reduction of Government funded New Homes Bonus and therefore anticipate higher levels of government grant in future years or growth in business rates.

Following a question regarding business rates the Panel was informed that the current situation is that Local Authorities will keep 100% of business rate growth however this would become 100% of all business rates at a future date. Although the Government had not stipulated how business rates would be distributed between the Local Authorities.

In response to a concern over the effect a reduced budget would have upon services the Executive Councillor for Resources informed the Panel that the focus was to provide services as well as an improved customer experience. The Executive Councillor emphasised that it is important that Members were involved with the budget process and were fully informed of the proposals.

Members discussed the possible introduction of the Bus Departure Levy. The levy was suggested as part of the ZBB process however it was decided by the Head of Service and Executive  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

To resolve:

that the press and public be excluded from the meeting because the business to be transacted contains information relating to any individual, information which is likely to reveal the identity of an individual, information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information) and information relating to any consultations or negotiations, in connection with any labour relations matter arising between the authority or a Minister of the Crown and employees.

RESOLVED

that the press and public be excluded from the meeting because the business to be transacted contains information relating to any individual, information which is likely to reveal the identity of an individual, information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information), information relating to any consultations or negotiations, in connection with any labour relations matter arising between the authority or a Minister of the Crown and employees and information in respect of which a claim to legal professional privilege could be maintained in legal proceedings.

To consider a report on the Oxmoor Action Plan For Open Space – Treatment Of Section 106 Monies.

Consideration was given to a report by the Interim Head of Operations (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) regarding the Oxmoor Action Plan for Open Space and the Treatment of Section 106 Monies. On the understanding that report on the progress of the Action Plan and Treatment of Section 106 Monies were submitted to Overview and Scrutiny, it was

RESOLVED

a)  that the Cabinet approve in principle the proposed way forward as detailed within the report.

b)  that the Panel receive a report showing all the remaining Section 106 monies and when they expire.

To receive a report by the Corporate Team Manager.

With the aid of a report by the Corporate Team Manager (a copy of which is appended in the Annex to the Minute Book) the Panel considered the Future Service Provision. The Panel was supportive of the report and after a short discussion, it was

RESOLVED

that the Cabinet be recommended to approve the recommendations contained in the report now submitted.

To resolve:

that the press and public be re-admitted to the meeting.

RESOLVED

that the press and public be re-admitted to the meeting.

To consider the work programmes of the Communities and Customers and Economy and Growth Overview and Scrutiny Panels.

The Panel received and noted a report (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) which contained details of studies being undertaken by the Overview and Scrutiny Panels for Communities and Customers and Economy and Growth.

(At 8.52pm, during the discussion on this item, Councillor R Carter left the meeting and did not return).

To consider a report on the Panel’s activities and scrutinise decisions taken since the last meeting as set out in the Decision Digest (circulated separately).

With the aid of a report by the Democratic Services Officer (Scrutiny) (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Panel reviewed the progress of its activities since the last meeting. In addition Members had the opportunity to discuss issues arising from the Decision Digest (circulated separately).

The scrutiny of the Huntingdon West Masterplan and the Huntingdonshire Infrastructure Business Plan had been passed over to the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Economy and Growth) and as such the Panel agreed to deleted the Action Log off the Work Programme.

(At 8.53pm, during the discussion of this item, Councillors J A Gray and R B Howe left the meeting and did not return).