Agenda and minutes

An apology was received from Councillor Fear, Councillor Holland attended the meeting as a substitute.

There were no declarations of interest.

To consider the minutes of the previous meeting(s)

Resolved:                 That the minutes of the meeting held on 15 June 2016 be agreed as a correct record.

The Executive Director (Resources and Support Services) introduced the report which was due to be considered by Cabinet on 14 September prior to submission to Central Government on 14 October 2016.

Members asked Cabinet to take into account the following comments:-

·        There is a lack of exciting new growth initiatives on behalf of the Council to attract alternative sources of income generation and future revenue streams.  This could involve, for example, the use of the capital assets in the ownership of the authority.

·        The covering report which highlights the lack of guidance to local authorities in respect of producing their Efficiency Plans should be sent to the DCLG with the Efficiency Plan when it is submitted.

·        The Committee members had concerns around Central Government withholding the Bonus from areas where an authority did not have a Local Plan in place especially as the pace of this authority is dictated to a large extent by the progress made by our neighbour, Stoke on Trent City Council. 

·        Whilst members did not wish to amend the amount included for the recycling and waste savings this target is not certain to be achieved and should be raised as a risk.

·        Members wanted to change the cover of the document to reflect a positive and real picture of Borough life rather than the picture of the Hub.

With regard to the request that members scrutinise the process of managed risk this will be carried out as part of a training session for the Audit and Risk Committee when all members will be invited to attend.

The Portfolio Holder would attend the meeting when specific topic areas within his work area required to be addressed.

The Chair completed a Scrutiny Brief with regard to communication with residents.

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.

Councillor Wright left the meeting at 8pm

There was no Urgent Business.