Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 6th December 2017.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 6th December 2017 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 interest were received.

A copy of the current Notice of Key Executive Decisions is attached. Members are invited to note the Plan and to 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 2018 to 30th April 2018.

The Panel are to consider the Draft Revenue Budget 2018/19 and the Medium Term Financial Strategy 2019/20 to 2022/23.

With the aid of a report by the Head of Resources (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book), the Draft Revenue Budget 2018/19 and the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) 2019/20 to 2021/22 was presented to the Panel.

The Executive Councillor for Strategic Resources introduced the report. Members were informed that the budget for 2018/19 will be just over £17m and that the Council would not increase Council Tax greater than the increase in wage growth in Huntingdonshire or the increase in the state pension. In 2018/19, Council Tax will rise by 2%. Members were reassured that the budget is as lean as it can be and that there isn’t an unnecessarily large allocation of funding.

The Panel was informed of the significant changes in the budget and the impact on the medium term financial strategy. In addition, Members were informed of the main areas of risk in regards to business rates appeals.

It was stated that the Council has a surplus budget in 2018/19 and that the Council would have a balanced budget at the end of the Medium Term Financial Strategy period in 2022/23.

A Member had asked what issues had there been with the swimming lessons income at One Leisure St Neots. In response, the Panel was informed that the change to the Impressions membership package had an impact as well as the temporary pool closure.

The Panel was informed that the budget for 3C ICT will be reworked for 2018/19. In addition, the overspend on last year’s budget included funding for new Microsoft licences which was not included in the original budget.

The Executive Councillor and the Head of Resources were asked how confident they were that the Council would not overspend the 2018/19 budget considering that the Council had overspent the 2017/18 budget by £778k and that the starting point of the 2018/19 budget would be lower than 2017/18. In addition, the budget for Operations was highlighted as a concern. In response, the Panel was informed that the issues in 2017/18 were one off items that led to the overspend. The Executive Councillor and Head of Resources are confident that the Council will not overspend the budget.

Members were informed that, regarding the issue of homelessness, there have been a number of solutions suggested and that the Executive Councillor for Housing and Planning is currently reviewing them. Once the solutions have been reviewed a paper will be presented.

The Panel was reminded that at December’s meeting, Members stated that they believe the income from One Leisure fee increases was not realistic.

A discussion ensued regarding the Commercial Investment Strategy (CIS). The Panel was informed that the Council will receive £2.3m of revenue from CIS this year. In addition, the Executive Councillor stated that the aim of CIS is to develop income streams for the Council which enables it to deliver good, high quality services.

Regarding the future of CIS investment, the Panel was informed that the position remains the same  ...  view the full minutes text for item 48.

Members are to receive the work programmes for all Overview and Scrutiny Panels.

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 all Panels’ work programmes since the last meeting.

The Executive Councillor and Head of Resources were asked when the Panel would receive an update report on the sale of assets. The Panel was informed that the Council should be effectively utilising land and is currently assessing how to get best value from the land it owns.

Councillor R C Carter updated Members on the One Leisure Value for Money and stated that the questions for previous Portfolio Holders had been issued. The Group are aiming to bring a final report to the March meeting of the Panel.

The Panel was informed that due to absences the March meeting of Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Performance and Customers) has been moved from Wednesday 7th March to Monday 5th March.