Meeting documents

Overview and Scrutiny Committee
Wednesday, 5th March, 2014 7.30 pm

Date:
Wednesday, 5th March, 2014
Time:
7.30 pm
Place:
New Council Chamber, Town Hall, REIGATE
 

Attendance Details

Present:
Cllr B.A.Stead (Chairman), Cllrs M.A.Brunt, J. Durrant, K.Foreman, N.D.Harrison, G.L.Norman, S.Parnall, D.J.Pay, D.T.Powell, S. Rickman, Mrs. D.A. Ross-Tomlin, J.M.Stephenson, and M.A.Vivona
Substitutes:
Cllr Ms. S. Finch (substitute for Cllr J.C.S. Essex)
Min NoDescriptionResolution
Part I
38 MINUTES
 RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 16th January 2014 be approved as a correct record.
39 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND SUBSTITUTIONS
 Committee Members: Councillors J.C.S. Essex (Substituted by Ms. S. Finch) and E. Humphreys.
40 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
 None.
41 OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE: ANNUAL REPORT 2013/14
Minute for Minute Number 41
RECOMMENDED that the Committee's Annual Report for 2013/14 be noted.
42 THE OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE'S PROPOSED WORK PROGRAMME 2014/15
Minute for Minute Number 42
RESOLVED that the proposed Work Programme for 2014/15 as set out at Annex 1 attached and detailed in the report be approved (taking account of the Management Team's comments) for recommendation to the Executive and the Council.
43 DRAFT TREASURY MANAGEMENT STRATEGY 2014/15
Minute for Minute Number 43
RESOLVED that the draft Treasury Management Strategy for 2014/15 be noted.
44 QUARTERLY PERFORMANCE REPORT (Q3 - OCTOBER TO DECEMBER 2013)
Minute for Minute Number 44
RESOLVED that the performance information for the third quarter of the year 2013/14 be noted.
45 EXECUTIVE
 It was reported that there were no items arising from the Executive that might be subject to the ‘call-in' procedure in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 15 of the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules.
46 ANY OTHER URGENT BUSINESS
 None.
7.51 p.m.

Minute

Min NoMinute
41Councillor B.A. Stead presented his Annual Report on the activities of the Committee during 2013/14. It was noted that the report had been brought forward due to the crime and disorder items at the final meeting of the Municipal Year, however, it still reported on all of the Committee's activities.
42The Committee received a report on the proposed work programme for 2014/15 that sought to continue the streamlined programme of work that was both balanced with and supportive of the Council's priorities.

The Committee received and considered the work programme proposals, with comments made regarding:
• the potential to invite other Housing Associations to the housing performance meeting.
• Executive Member presentations, which would be determined at the start of the Municipal Year, and would focus on those portfolios which had not been the subject of a briefing during 2014/15; suggestions included the Portfolio Holder for Planning.
• joint scrutiny opportunity. It was noted that this approach should not duplicate scrutiny undertaken elsewhere.
43The Committee received the draft Treasury Management Strategy 2014/15 published by the Executive on 30th January 2014 for consultation with the Committee.

The Committee noted that the draft Strategy had been considered and supported by the Treasury Management Portfolio Panel on 19 February 2014 which was attended by several Members of the Committee.

The Committee received a summary of the issues raised at the Portfolio Panel and the amendment that they had proposed to the Strategy, which was to increase the time limit for investments with local authorities only for a maximum of 3 years.

The Panel had also commented positively about the potential to invest in other local authorities. The Committee felt this was a significant change in the strategy, which should be clearly highlighted when the Executive consider the final strategy for adoption.

It was noted that the Council had received the remaining Icelandic deposits and had therefore recovered almost all of the original investments.
44The Committee received a quarterly report that detailed any major variances on performance in relation to the Council's Revenue, Capital and Key Service Indicators covering the period up to December 2013. An Internal Audit report on Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support Scheme had also been submitted for this reporting period. The detailed performance information had been placed in the Overview and Scrutiny support area of the eMembers Room.

Seven advance questions were received and an addendum, with additional information in the response, was circulated at the meeting.

A supplementary question was asked relating to the benefits budget. The Chief Executive agreed to provide a written response after the meeting.