48 Portfolio Holder Briefing - Organisation Portfolios
To receive briefings from the three Portfolio Holders – Organisation – Executive Members for Finance & Governance, Investment and Companies and Corporate Policy and Resources.
Supporting documents:
Minutes:
Members considered the Portfolio Holder Briefings
– Organisation Portfolios from the Portfolio Holders for
Finance and Governance (Councillor T. Schofield), Corporate Policy
and Resources (Councillor V. Lewanski) and Investment and Companies
(Councillor T. Archer). It was noted that the three Executive
Members had received Advance questions which included their two or
three most important objectives in
their portfolios for the year and what they regard as the biggest
risks and challenges.
Councillor T. Schofield said that the main
priorities in the Finance and Governance area were to maintain
effective financial programmes and controls that support the
long-term financial sustainability of the Council. It would
continue to provide and improve clear and transparent financial
information. He was working with his three Heads of Service to
ensure high standards of professionalism in the provision of
services and support both to the organisation and to
residents.
Finance priorities included continuing to develop
MTFP budget forecasts taking into account new pressures and
opportunities and uncertainties and ensure borrowing and
investments are in line within the Treasury Management Strategy
limits and continue to develop year-end closedown processes that
have been affected this year. Challenges included continuing to
manage the financial impacts of COVID-19 pandemic and planning for
implementation of the Relative Needs & Resources (Fair Funding)
review and other proposed changes to Government funding
streams.
On Revenues, Benefits & Fraud the priority was
working towards a commercial trading company and further developing
external work to provide further new income streams. The ongoing
adverse impacts of COVID-19 on collection rates for council tax and
business rates was a risk.
Governance priorities included planning and delivery
of elections in May 2021 which now included three concurrent
elections including the PCC election with pressure to count and
deliver the results. Also, a refresh and review of the standards
protocol and the meetings cycle to enhance effective working
relations between councillors and officers. The impact of COVID-19
on staffing and management of elections was a risk mitigated by
detailed planning and risk assessments. Legal priorities included
recruitment of a budgeted Property and Planning Lawyer and training
and development of the trainee Solicitor and Paralegal. Risks
included recruitment and retention of skilled and qualified
lawyers.
Members asked questions and discussed the following
areas:
· Local elections – Members asked what would happen if the local elections in May were postponed again and what the financial implications would be if this happened. Officers confirmed that the government had been very clear that it did not want to postpone the elections again. There were financial implications to run three elections in a covid-secure way and keep residents and staff safe. The Council was lobbying for additional money from Government for this purpose. It was not known yet what the exact figure would be for running the three elections, but officers would keep councillors informed. There may be savings for running three elections on one day and the budget from 2020 had been carried forward. It needed the right PPE and Perspex screens to protect staff ... view the full minutes text for item 48