Agenda and minutes

Minutes of the Meeting held on 23^rd January, 2018.  

The minutes of the meeting held on the 23^rd January 2018 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. 

There were no declarations of interest.

Reportof the ChiefOfficer(Resources). 

The City Council’s Treasury Adviser will give a Presentation to the Panel. 

Note: All Members of Council have been invited to attend. 

Richard Dunlop, Director of Link Asset Services and the City Council’s Treasury Management Advisor, gave a presentation on Treasury Management covering: Member involvement; the regulatory structures of treasury management; an overview of the treasury strategy including borrowing; the current economic background and investment considerations.

The Financial Services Manager introduced a report of the Chief Officer (Resources) that sought the Panel’s views regarding the proposed treasury management framework for 2018/19. 

The report outlined that each year the City Council must review and approve its treasury management framework for the forthcoming year.  Budget proposals were to be considered by Cabinet and then ultimately approved at full Council, however the Panel had explicit responsibility for scrutiny of the treasury management function, including a review of the proposed annual strategy. 

Members asked a number of questions regarding: the judgement on what is proportionate; CLG draft guidance and the evolving agenda; General Fund; Canal Corridor; financing schemes using borrowing and borrowing costs. 

Resolved:

(1)    That the report be noted. 

Report of the Chief Officer (Environmental Services). 

The Chief Officer (Environment) introduced a report regarding the overall performance of key indicators, as at 31^st December 2017, as the third quarter of the 2017-2018 financial year. 

Appended to the report was a performance monitoring report, which provided a summary of the Quarter 3 progress and performance of key indicators towards the achievement of the corporate priorities and outcomes. 

Members asked a number of questions regarding: rough sleeping figures being provided annually and not quarterly; the time to re-let council houses; impact of Universal Credit; council housing tenancy agreements and referrals to the home improvement agency. 

Resolved:

(1)    That the report be noted. 

Report of the Chief Officer (Resources) to follow. 

The Financial Services Manager introduced a report of the Chief Officer (Resources) to provide an overview of the Council’s financial position for Quarter 3 of the 2017/18 monitoring cycle, and the supporting actions underway. A summary of the Corporate Financial Monitoring for Quarter 3 of 2017/18 was attached for Members’ consideration.

Members were advised of the headline projections as follows:

·                When compared with the General Fund revised net revenue budget to be considered by Council on 31^st January 2018 (which provided for a net overspending of £222K), the quarter 3 position showed a net improvement of £48K, forecast to increase to £79K by the year end.  If secured, this would bring the overall net overspending for the year down from £222K to £143K.

·                The Housing Revenue Account was currently in line with the forecast net overspending of £221K for the year. 

·                In terms of the General Fund projected net underspending for the year, the key variances related to employee savings of £50K and additional income of £29K from car parking and Planning fees.  The latter were increased by 20% by the Government in January 2018. 

Members asked a number of questions regarding: Salt Ayre Leisure Centre and capital financing costs; sale of St. Leonards House; appeals figures and various questions relating to the tables contained in the report.

Resolved:

(1)    That the report be noted. 

Report of the Chief Officer (Regeneration and Planning). 

The Panel considered a report of the Chief Officer (Regeneration and Planning) to update the Budget and Performance Panel on recent developments and early progress in relation to the City Council’s Museums Service. 

The Panel requested that the report submitted for consideration at this meeting, together with an update be provided at the 10^th July 2018 meeting. 

Resolved:

(1)    That the report submitted for consideration at this meeting, together with an update be provided at the 10^th July 2018 meeting. 

Report of the Chief Officer (Governance) to follow. 

The Principal Democratic Support Officer requested Members to consider the Panel’s Work Programme. 

The Panel was advised that the Repairs and Maintenance Service (RMS), previously on the Work Programme as the APSE report, would be reported to the Panel at its September 2018 meeting. 

Members requested that an update on the Peer Challenge Review be added to the Panel’s Work Programme.  It was noted, however, that this item was contained on the Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s Work Programme.  It was agreed that, in order to avoid duplication, that when this item was considered that Members of the Panel be invited to attend the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting. 

The Panel also requested that a report on the budget and treasury management issues of the Canal Corridor be submitted for consideration. 

Resolved:

(1)       That the report be noted.

(2)       That the Repairs and Maintenance Service (RMS), previously on the Work Programme as the APSE report, be reported to the Panel at its September 2018 meeting. 

(3)       That the Panel requests to be invited to attend the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, when considering any updates on the Peer Challenge Review. 

(4)       That a report on the budget and treasury management issues of the Canal Corridor be submitted to the Panel for consideration.