Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed Members of the Panel and the Cabinet Member with responsibility for Finance and Resources to the first meeting of the Panel of the Municipal Year.  He advised of the importance of the Panel and of the need to ensure the scrutiny of Cabinet decisions in accordance with the Panel’s Terms of Reference set out in the Constitution. 

In accordance with Rule 8, paragraph c, Part 3 – Rules of Procedure, Section 3, the Chair and Vice Chair shall not be members of the largest political group which has Councillors serving on the Cabinet. 

It was proposed by Councillor Hamish Mills, seconded by Councillor James Sommerville and unanimously agreed:-

“That Councillor Paul Tynan be appointed Vice-Chair of the Budget and Performance Panel for the Municipal Year.”

Resolved:-

That Councillor Paul Tynan be appointed Vice-Chair of the Budget and Performance Panel for the Municipal Year. 

Minutes of the Meeting held on 16^th March 2023 (attached). 

The minutes of the meeting held on 16^th March 2023 were approved as a correct record. 

There were no items of urgent business. 

To receive declarations by Councillors of interests in respect of items on this Agenda. 

Councillors are reminded that, in accordance with the Localism Act 2011, they are required to declare any disclosable pecuniary interests which have not already been declared in the Council’s Register of Interests. (It is a criminal offence not to declare a disclosable pecuniary interest either in the Register or at the meeting). 

Whilst not a legal requirement, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 9 and in the interests of clarity and transparency, Councillors should declare any disclosable pecuniary interests which they have already declared in the Register, at this point in the meeting. 

In accordance with Part B Section 2 of the Code Of Conduct, Councillors are required to declare the existence and nature of any other interests as defined in paragraphs 8(1) or 9(2) of the Code of Conduct. 

There were no declarations of interest. 

Report of Chief Officer Finance. 

The Cabinet Member with particular responsibility for Finance and Resources reported on the Provisional Revenue, Capital and Treasury Management Outturn 2022/23. 

The Panel had been provided with a Cabinet report from the Chief Finance Officer with summary information regarding the provisional outturn for 2022/23, including treasury management. It also set out information regarding the carry forward of capital slippage and other matters for Members’ consideration.

The options, options analysis, including risk assessment and officer preferred option, were set out in the report as follows:

The Council has a legal requirement to ensure that its expenditure is fully funded and to produce accounts in accordance with proper accounting practice. In addition, the Prudential Indicators are a statutory requirement linked to the budgetary framework. For these aspects, therefore, there are no alternative options for Cabinet to consider. Members are being asked to endorse certain actions taken by the Chief Finance Officer, and Cabinet should consider whether it has sufficient information to do so or whether it requires any further justification.

The report had requested Cabinet to consider a number of revenue overspending, capital slippage and other budget adjustment matters. The framework for considering these is set out in the report but basically Cabinet may:

·            Endorse any number of the items / requests, in full or part.

·            Refuse various requests and if commitments have already been incurred, require alternative funding options to be identified. Cabinet should note, however, that this may impact on other areas of service delivery.

·            Request further information regarding them, if appropriate.

The Officer preferred options were as set out in the recommendations, on the assumption that Members continue to support their previously approved spending plans.

The main areas discussed and questions raised were in relation to the Mainway site in Skerton, the former Skerton High School site, the maintenance of property the Council owns, property condition survey, ongoing maintenance of Williamson Park, St. Leonard’s Gate car parks/Coopers Field, issues relating to homelessness and the need to build houses, increase in costs and interest rates, reserves, cash balances, the Treasury Management Strategy, borrowing and commercial investments. 

Resolved:

(1)            That Councillor Hamilton-Cox, Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources, be thanked for his attendance and report to the Panel. 

(2)            That the report be noted. 

Report of Chief Officer Finance. 

The Cabinet Member with particular responsibility for Finance and Resources reported on Delivering Our Priorities Quarter 1, 2023/24.  The Panel had received a report of Cabinet that provided members with an update on performance, projects, and resources during the first quarter of 2023/24. No options had been provided in the report as the report was for commenting and noting. 

The main areas discussed and questions raised were in relation to surpluses, energy costs, property maintenance costs, salary costs, homelessness especially if there is an increase cost to the general fund, White Lund Depot, Williamson Park Cafe, Building Control and transformation costs. 

Resolved:

(1)        That Councillor Hamilton-Cox, Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources, be thanked for his attendance and report to the Panel. 

(2)        That the report be noted. 

Joint report of Chief Officers Finance and Governance. 

The Panel considered its Work Programme.  It was reported that the Panel was responsible for setting its own annual Work Programme within the terms of reference, set out in the Council’s Constitution. 

Members were requested to consider the Work Programme attached at Appendix A and also consider the updates set out within the report.  Also attached at Appendix B were the Terms of Reference of the Panel. 

In accordance with the Constitution all Councillors, the Chief Executive and the public had been asked for issues that should be considered for inclusion in the Scrutiny Work Programme. Comments were then obtained on the issues from Senior Leadership Team and the following item had been referred for consideration as part of the Panel’s forthcoming Work Programme:

“we need to be able to scrutinise the Outcomes Based Resourcing work - so Councillors can better understand how much different things cost and have a chance to explore the relationship between services and their costs.” 

The Panel was asked to consider the referral. 

Members of the Panel were requested to notify the Chair of the Panel and Chief Officer – Resources/Section 151 Officer of any items to be considered to be included in the Panel’s Work Programme within the Panel’s Terms of Reference, set out in the Council’s Constitution. 

Resolved:

(1)        That the updated Work Programme, as detailed in Appendix A to the report, be noted. 

(2)        That Members of the Panel notify the Chair of the Panel and Chief Officer – Resources/Section 151 Officer of any items to be considered to be included in the Panel’s Work Programme within the Panel’s Terms of Reference, set out in the Council’s Constitution.