Agenda and minutes

To appoint a Vice-Chairman for the duration of the 2018/19 Municipal Year. 

In accordance with Part 3, Section 11 of the Constitution, the holder of this appointment may not come from the largest political group on the Cabinet. 

The Chairman requested nominations for the position of Vice-Chairman. 

It was proposed by Councillor Dave Brookes and seconded by Councillor Susan Sykes:-

“That Councillor Peter Yates be appointed Vice-Chairman of the Budget and Performance Panel for the Municipal Year 2018/19.” 

Resolved: -

That Councillor Peter Yates be appointed Vice-Chairman of the Budget and Performance Panel for the Municipal Year 2018/19. 

Minutes of the Meeting held on 10^th July, 2018 (previously circulated). 

The minutes of the meeting held on 10^th July 2018 were signed as a correct record. 

The Chairman advised Members that this was the last meeting of the Panel before Andrew Clarke, Financial Services Manager, left the City Council. 

The Panel thanked Andrew for all his hard work for the Panel and wished him well for the future. 

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. 

Report of the Financial Services Manager. 

The Financial Services Manager introduced a report a summary of the Corporate Financial Monitoring for Quarter 1 of 2018/19 was attached for Members’ consideration. 

Members were advised of the headline projections as follows: -

·                A current General Fund net overspending of £25k, but this could increase to £307k by the year end depending on various factors.  A number of actions were proposed to help avoid such a situation arising. 

·                The Housing Revenue Account (HRA) was currently underspent by £30k, and this was expected to increase to £86k by the year end.  The key message related to the significant improvement of void property turnaround times, which had led to forecast additional rental income of £100k. 

Appended to the report was an update on Salt Ayre, progress against the savings measures approved as part of the 2019/20 budget and the latest Treasury Management update report. 

Members asked a number of questions regarding: overspends, staff turnover, queries regarding interims and temporary staff, budget support reserve, Salt Ayre, car parks and various questions relating to the tables contained in the report. 

Resolved: -

(1)    That the report be noted. 

Report of the Executive Support Manager. 

The Panel received a report on the key indicators for April to June 2018 (Quarter 1).  A breakdown of performance against key corporate indicators for the period was contained in the Appendix to the report. 

It was reported that, following adoption of Ambitions: Our Council Plan for 2018-22, performance indicators would be further align with the new Ambitions.  Future performance monitoring reports would gradually introduce new indicators as these were developed. 

Members asked several questions of the officers present regarding the performance indicators outlined in the report including Salt Ayre, fly tipping, percentage of household waste recycled, homelessness, rough sleepers and garden waste. 

The Panel made the following requests: -

·                The percentage of household waste recycled - that the garden waste element be separated out from the overall percentage. 

·                The number of properties where category 1 hazards have been eliminated - that this would be better represented as a proportion or a response rather than a number. 

Members noted the improvements to the trend style of the report. 

Resolved: -

(1)          That the report be noted. 

(2)          The Panel requests: -

·           The percentage of household waste recycled - that the garden waste element be separated out from the overall percentage. 

·           The number of properties where category 1 hazards have been eliminated - that this would be better represented as a proportion or a response rather than a number. 

Report of the Interim Head of Legal and Democratic Services and Monitoring Officer. 

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

It was noted that at the last meeting of the Panel Members were advised that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee had considered the process for considering scrutiny Work Programme topics and agenda items, with priority given to topics that are closely linked to the Council Plan. 

The Panel was requested to consider whether some items of scrutiny, currently included on the Work Programme, were still required and, if so, provide clarity on the purpose for scrutiny.  Notes had been provided where there was, or could be, duplication with the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. 

The Panel noted that the Repairs and Maintenance Service (RMS) item had been re-scheduled for the 13^th November 2018 meeting. 

The Panel made the following decisions. 

Resolved: -

(1)       That the report be noted.  

(2)       That the following items be removed from the Panel’s Work Programme: -

·           Economic Growth Strategy (issues relating to budget and performance). 

·           Morecambe Area Action Plan (issues relating to budget and performance). 

(3)       That regarding the Canal Quarter, for Budget and Treasury Management issues, information be included in future quarterly Corporate Financial Monitoring reports.