Agenda and minutes

Minutes of the Meeting held on 21 January 2020 (previously circulated). 

The minutes of the meeting held on 21 January 2020 were agreed 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 the Director of Corporate Services

The Panel considered a report of the Chief Finance Officer providing Members with the Cabinet report from 11 February 2020.  This set out the latest position in respect of the budget and policy framework including Cabinet’s proposed revenue budget for 2020/21 and Capital Programme for 2020/21 to 2023/24, as well as the proposed Treasury Management Strategy for 2020/21.

Councillor Whitehead, Cabinet portfolio holder for Finance, responded to a number of questions from the Panel and clarified issues raised regarding:

·       Limits on reserves bid authorisation by Cabinet Members

·       Investment properties - that projections on yield take into account possible void periods

·       Investing money ethically

·       Business rates reserves and budget support reserves and how these differ

·       Section 106 monies and how these are used

Regarding the limits on reserves bid authorisation, the Director of Corporate Services informed members that this would be clarified before budget council.

The Chair thanked Councillor Whitehead and others in attendance for providing information and responding to questions from Panel members.

Resolved:

That the report be noted.

Report of the Director of Corporate Services. 

The Democratic Services Manager presented the Panel’s work programme report.

The Chair noted that this was the last meeting of the Panel in the current municipal year and that it was regrettable that the number of meetings had reduced leaving a long gap without a Panel meeting.

It was noted that a report regarding the ice rink in Dalton Square had been requested and the date that would be available was yet to be confirmed.

Members agreed that they would like information regarding the procurement strategy to be presented at the Panel’s first meeting in the new municipal year.

Regarding the audited accounts from the Dukes, the Chief Finance Officer explained that accounts had been received and would be circulated with a commentary as soon as this piece of work had been completed.

Resolved:

That the work programme be updated.