Meeting documents

Overview and Scrutiny Committee
Thursday, 11th December, 2014 7.30 pm

Date:
Thursday, 11th December, 2014
Time:
7.30 pm
Place:
New Council Chamber, Town Hall, Reigate
 
Min NoDescriptionResolution
Part I
22 ELECTION OF VICE-CHAIRMAN
 RESOLVED that Councillor J.M. Stephenson be elected Vice-Chairman of the Committee for the remainder of the Municipal Year 2014/15.
23 MINUTES
 RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 23rd October 2014 be approved as a correct record.
24 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND SUBSTITUTIONS
 Committee Members: Councillors J.C.S. Essex (substituted by Councillor Ms S. Finch), S. Farrer, R.S. Mantle, Mrs. D.A. Ross-Tomlin and Mrs R. Turner.

Other Members: Cllr V.W. Broad
25 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
 Councillor: P. Shillinglaw
Minute: 27
Interest: Non-Pecuniary
Nature: Allotment-holder within the Borough
26 BRIEFING FROM THE LEADER OF THE COUNCIL

To receive a briefing from Councillor Broad, Leader of the Council, about the future focus of the Council.
Minute for Minute Number 26
RESOLVED that the item be deferred.
27 BUDGET SCRUTINY PANEL REPORT
Minute for Minute Number 27
RESOLVED:
(i) that the following recommendations be submitted to the Executive in response to the Service & Financial Planning (Provisional Budget) 2015/16 report:
(a) the Executive Member for Finance, Executive and Officers be thanked for preparing balanced budget proposals for 2015/16;
(b) the assumptions underpinning the budget be agreed as reasonable;
(c) the risk of the savings and growth proposals impacting service delivery be agreed as limited;
(d) the capital programme be agreed as sufficient to deliver Corporate priorities;
(e) the Medium Term Financial Plan for 2015-2020 be agreed to ensure that resources are directed towards delivery of the 5 Year Plan 2015-20; and
(f) the strengths and risks within the budget proposals, as set out in the conclusions of the Budget Panel report, be noted.

(ii) that the Executive be asked to note the comments made by the Committee, as set out above.
28 QUARTERLY PERFORMANCE REPORT (Q2 JUNE - SEPTEMBER 2014)
Minute for Minute Number 28
RESOLVED that:
(iii) the performance report be noted; and
(iv) no observations be made to the Executive.
29 SCHEDULE OF MEETINGS 2015/16
Minute for Minute Number 29
RESOLVED that:
(i) the draft Schedule of Meetings for 2015/16 be noted; and
no comments be made to the Executive.
30 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 the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules.
31 ANY OTHER URGENT BUSINESS
 None.

Minute

Min NoMinute
26Councillor V.W. Broad, Leader of the Council, was unable to attend and had sent apologies for the meeting.
27The Chairman invited Councillor N.D. Harrison, as chairman of the Budget Scrutiny Panel, to introduce the report.

The Committee heard that 71 advance questions had been asked as part of the budget scrutiny process and Councillor Harrison thanked the Leader, Portfolio Holder for Finance, other Members and officers for supporting this process. The panel had thoroughly examined the 2015/16 savings and growth proposals, Capital Programme 2015/16 to 2019/20, and Medium Term Financial Plan 2015/16 to 2019/20, taking into account performance against the 2014/15 budget.

Councillor Harrison highlighted the conclusions of the Budget Scrutiny Panel and drew the Committee's attention to the key risks identified by the Panel. The Panel had concluded that these risks were proportionate, particularly in light of the Council's substantial reserves, and were being well managed. The Panel had further concluded that the service and financial planning proposals were achievable, realistic and based on sound practices.

The Committee discussed the report, with questions and comments made regarding:
• The proposed increase in allotment fees and removal of the pensioner's discount on these fees. Three-fifths of the Committee had concerns about this element of the budget proposals. The remainder of the Committee felt that it was reasonable and necessary;
• Income from recyclates. The Committee were advised that the new Waste Transfer Station at Earlswood Depot was expected to provide a more consistent income by decreasing the number of wet loads processed. The Council would also be looking at ways to expand the collection of textiles. The Committee noted that the budget proposals for 2015/16 were nonetheless cautious, in order to reflect the continuing volatility of the recyclates market and of the wider economy;
• Rest day working payments for refuse staff. The Committee noted that this was a historical arrangement which was currently under review.

The Committee expressed its thanks to the Panel for their work in scrutinising the budget proposals.
28The Committee received a report that detailed the major variances on performance in relation to the Council's Revenue, Capital, Key Service Indicators, Internal Audit reports and Risk Management for the period up to September 2014. The detailed performance information had been placed in the eMembers Room.

The Committee received one advance question and response regarding the performance report. The written response would be placed in the eMembers Room.

The Committee noted that the advance question process, facilitated by the additional information in the eMembers Room, was an effective tool for supporting the Committee's work.

The Committee discussed the report and the advance question received, with further questions and comments made regarding:
• The impact of the strong private sector market on the ability of Councils nationally to recruit Building Control staff and the related service impact, which was minimal;
• The forecast over-recovery of income from Car Parking. The Committee noted that a review of Car Parking was imminent and would seek to better align the service with the expectations of modern customers.
29The Committee received a report setting out the proposed meeting schedule for the 2015/16 Municipal Year.

The Committee noted the break in formal meetings during May, which would allow for the necessary post-election arrangements to be made, and the traditional break during August.