Meeting documents

Overview and Scrutiny Committee
Thursday, 26th June, 2014 7.30 pm

Date:

Thursday, 26th June, 2014

Time:

7.30 pm

Place:

New Council Chamber, Town Hall, Reigate

Min No	Description	Resolution
Part I
1	ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN	RESOLVED that Councillor B.A. Stead be elected Chairman of the Committee for the Municipal Year 2014/15. (Councillor B.A. Stead took the Chair)
2	ELECTION OF VICE-CHAIRMAN	RESOLVED that Councillor S.N. Farrer be elected Vice-Chairman of the Committee for the Municipal Year 2014/15.
3	MINUTES (Attachment: 1)Minutes	RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 26th March 2014 be approved as a correct record.
4	APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND SUBSTITUTIONS	Committee Members: Councillors R. Mantle, G.L. Norman (substituted by S. Kulka) and D. Powell. Other Members: Councillor V.W. Broad
5	DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST	None.
6	INTRODUCTION TO SCRUTINY Minute for Minute Number 6	RESOLVED that the presentation be noted.
7	PROVISIONAL REVENUE & CAPITAL OUTTURN 2013/14 (Attachment: 2)Provisional Revenue & Capital Outturn 2013/14 Report Minute for Minute Number 7	RESOLVED that the: (i) report be noted; and (ii) Executive be congratulated for the strong financial performance over the last year.
8	QUARTERLY PERFORMANCE REPORT (Q4 - JANUARY TO MARCH 2014) (Attachment: 3)Quarterly Performance Report Q4 Minute for Minute Number 8	RESOLVED that: (i) the performance update and advanced question be noted.
9	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.
10	ANY OTHER URGENT BUSINESS	None.

Minute

**Minute**
Min No	Minute
6	The Committee received a presentation which set out the role of scrutiny within the Council, and its procedures. The Chairman emphasised the importance of the role of Committee Members. Concerns were raised about the reliability of the eMembers facility, and it was agreed that these be investigated in order to improve access.
7	The Deputy Chief Executive introduced a report that set out the provisional budget outturn, identified and explained key variances, and proposed changes to the levels of the Council's reserves. It also summarised the Treasury Management performance for 2013/14. The revenue budget had underspent by Â£844,000 (5% of the overall budget), which demonstrated how well the Council managed its finances. The Committee received five advanced questions and responses regarding the provisional outturn. The responses would be placed in the eMembers Room. The Committee discussed the outturn report, with questions and comments made regarding: • Corporate Plan delivery fund, and how this increases the agreed budget during the year • Waste blueprint, and the resources required to support the roll out of the service • Vehicles and plant programme, where the life of vehicles had been extended • Car parking enforcement, and the use of any surplus from the service • Business support scheme, where the Council administers a Government scheme • High street innovation fund, and the use of future funding • Recording of complaints and comments, including positive comments regarding the Council's service • New Homes Bonus reserve, and the use of this reserve for infrastructure Concern was raised about the level of under spend within the capital programme, although it was noted that the programme includes a number of complex projects and this has made them subject to delay. Written answers were requested to questions regarding the waste blueprint funding and parking enforcement. The Committee was pleased to note the strong performance of the Harlequin theatre and cinema.
8	The Committee received a report that detailed the major variances on performance in relation to the Council's Key Service Indicators, Internal Audit reports, Risk Management and planning obligation receipts for the period up to March 2014. The detailed performance information had been placed in the eMembers Room. The Deputy Chief Executive highlighted that the report demonstrated the continued strong service performance by the Council. The Committee discussed the report, with questions and comments made regarding: • Development Management service and resources. It was noted that the Council worked well with major schemes applicants and when applications went beyond the 8 week target, it was with the agreement of the applicant and to ensure that the best scheme was brought forward • Performance of the Council in planning appeals. It was noted that there was no pattern to the appeals allowed and was a low level • Homelessness applications and the work of the Council to reduce bed and breakfast costs • Availability of S106 funding to support education provision, and the development of the Community Infrastructure Levy The Committee received one advanced question and response regarding the Quarterly Performance. The response would be placed in the eMembers Room.