Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

To consider the minutes of the previous meeting of this Committee held on Wednesday 5th November 2014

Resolved:-   That the minutes of the previous meeting held on Wednesday 5^th November 2014 were agreed as a correct record subject to the following amendment:-

Item 3 – Parish/Town Councils – Review of Concurrent Funding Task and Finish Group, page 6, sixth paragraph:-

Most of the Parish Councils had in excess of twelve months’ assets in reserve.

Amend to:-

Most of the Parish Councils had in excess of twelve months’ precepts in reserve.

A Member asked if the wording Authorised Officer and Chief Officer meant they were separate Officers.

The Business Improvement Manager replied this was correct and there was a definition of the Rules on page 2 of the document.

Resolved:-   That the Contract Procedural Rules of the Constitution be approved.

The Executive Director Resources and Support Services presented the Revenue Budget 2015/2016 – First Draft Savings Plans.

A Scrutiny Café would be held on Tuesday 13^th January 2015 with a full budget report being presented back to Scrutiny on Wednesday 21^st January 2015 then submitted to Full Council on the 25^th February 2015.

The Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS), approved by Cabinet on the 15^th October 2014 and considered by this Scrutiny Committee on the 5^th November 2014, indicated that there would be a budget “gap” of £1.850m in respect of 2015/2016 and that this would need to be closed in order to produce a balanced budget.

There had been a number of changes to the “gap” since October, increasing it by £298,000 to £2.148m.

The Executive Director Resources and Support Services advised Members if they would like any further details do not hesitate to contact him.  The Portfolio Holder for Finance and Resources had written to all Groups inviting them to a meeting to discuss any of the savings plan.

The Chair asked if Members had any further ideas of where savings could be considered.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance and Resources advised that all group leaders had been notified and it was an open invitation to all Members of the Scrutiny Committee.

The Chair asked if there were any specific areas that the Committee required further information on.

It was asked when would the Town/Parish Clerks be informed of the proposal to reduce the amount of funding allocated, with clarity being provided on what concurrent functions were being carried out.

The Executive Director Resources and Support Services advised that following a meeting with Cabinet Members on the 17^th December 2014, all Town/Parish Councils’ Clerks would be notified by letter of the proposed decision and how it would be applied to each of the Parish Councils.

A Member of the Town/Parish Councils Concurrent Funding Working Group advised that a great deal of good practice was found between the Parishes and supported the recommendation submitted by the Chair of the Working Group.

Resolved:-

(a)    That Committee note the proposals as set out in the appendix to the report.

(b)   That the Committee did not identify any areas where further information is required for consideration at its meeting on the 21^st January 2015.

Resolved:-

That the following items are added to the work plan:-

Wednesday 21^st January 2015

(1)   Constitution Review Working Group – Member/Officer Protocol

(2)   Revenue and Capital Budget 2015/2016

Monday 16^th March 2015

(1)   Constitution Review Working Group - Overview

Any member of the public wishing to submit a question must serve two clear days’ notice, in writing, of any such question to the Borough Council.

No questions had been received from the public.

No urgent business was raised.

Tuesday 13^th January 2015, 7.00pm, Budget Scrutiny Café

Wednesday 21^st January 2015, 7.00pm in Committee Room 1.