Agenda and minutes

Minutes of the Meeting held on 13^th December, 2017 (previously circulated). 

The minutes of the meeting held on 13^th December 2017 were signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

There were no items of urgent business.

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

Members 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, Members 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, Members 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. 

Members are further reminded that Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 applies to any meeting where consideration is given to matters relating to, or which might affect, the calculation of Council Tax.

Any member of a local authority, who is liable to pay Council Tax, and who has any unpaid Council Tax amount overdue for at least two months, even if there is an arrangement to pay off the arrears, must declare the fact that he/she is in arrears and must not vote on any recommendation or decision which might affect the budget or council tax calculation.  It is a criminal offence to fail to comply with this requirement.

There were no declarations of interest.

Cabinet will present its Budget and Policy Framework Proposals for the period 2018/19 to 2021/22.

Councillor Anne Whitehead, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Finance, Revenues and Benefits and Skills, presented the City Council’s Budget and Policy Framework Proposals for 2018/22.

Council Budget papers that were to be considered on 31^st January 2018 were circulated at the meeting for the Panel’s consideration.

The Panel was informed that due to continued cutbacks in funding for Local Authorities by Central Government, the City Council had to respond accordingly through methods such as: evaluation of service efficiencies; service reductions; income generation and invest to save processes. Updates were provided regarding savings and growth proposals from March 2016 and 2017 including: Green Waste Collection; Salt Ayre Leisure Centre; CCTV; Community Pools; Economic Growth Reserve and Street Cleaning.

It was outlined that in the revised budget for 2017/18 there was a minor overspend of £222k which was 1.4% of the original net revenue budget. Annual savings targets of £1M for 2019/20 and £2.4M for 2020/21 were also discussed with an emphasis on protecting services as much as possible.

The Cabinet Member also explained that there had been a strategic review of the Council’s priorities and the budget proposals were delivered under the following four key themes:

·         A thriving and prosperous economy

·         Clean and safe neighbourhoods

·         Healthy and happy communities

·         Ambitious and forward-thinking Council

On conclusion of the presentation, the Chairman thanked the Cabinet Member for the presentation and invited questions from the Panel, Councillors and Stakeholders present.

The Panel asked a number of questions regarding: shared services; modernisation of the Council; service efficiencies; income generation; service reductions; budget proposals for urban centres; economic opportunities for smaller urban areas; revenue income and expenditure in relation to proposed savings; business cases; community wealth building; general fund/section 106 reserves and highways/cycle paths.

There was also a question raised from a stakeholder concerning the communication between Lancashire County Council and Lancaster City Council with regards to economic regeneration and tourism.

On conclusion of the presentation the Chairman, on behalf of the Panel, thanked the Cabinet Members, Councillors, Stakeholders and Officers for their attendance.

Resolved:

(1)    That the information contained with the presentation be noted.

(2)    That the Cabinet Member with responsibility for Finance, Revenues and Benefits and Skills be thanked for the presentation to the Panel.

(3)    That the Cabinet Members, Councillors, Stakeholders and Officers be thanked for their attendance.

Documents from the County Council’s Cabinet Meeting to be held on the 18th January

2018 are attached.

The Chairman advised the Panel that Lancashire County Council had sent apologies for the meeting and submitted a report for comments.

Resolved:

(1)    That the report be noted.

(2)    That any questions from the Panel for Lancashire County Council be submitted to Democratic Services by Friday 26^th January 2018.

Documents from the Police and Crime Panel for Lancashire to be held on 22^nd January 2018 are attached.

The Panel to consider the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Budget Proposals.

The Commissioner to provide a written update for the meeting.

The Chairman advised the Panel that the Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner had sent apologies for the meeting and submitted a report and written update (previously circulated) for comments.

Resolved:

(1)    That the report be noted.

(2)    That any questions from the Panel for the Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner be submitted to Democratic Services by Friday 26^th January 2018.

The Panel to consider the Lancashire Combined Fire Authority Budget Proposals.

The Chairman advised the Panel that the Lancashire Combined Fire Authority had sent apologies for the meeting and submitted a report for comments.

Resolved:

(1)    That the report be noted.

(2)    That any questions from the Panel for the Lancashire Combined Fire Authority be submitted to Democratic Services by Friday 26^th January 2018.