Agenda and minutes

The Panel noted with sadness the death of Councillor S. Scothern. Prior to the commencement of the meeting, the Panel stood for one minute’s silence.

In accordance with Part 3, Section 3, Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules, of the Constitution, the holder of this appointment shall not be members of the largest political group, which has Councillors serving on the Cabinet. 

It was proposed by Councillor De La Mare, seconded by Councillor Dennison and unanimously agreed:-

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

Resolved:-

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

Minutes of the Meeting held on 6^th July 2021 (previously circulated). 

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 6^th July 2021 were signed by the Chair as a correct record.

The Chair advised 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. 

Councillor Young declared an interest as she is employed by Citizens Advice North Lancashire, an organisation which receives funding from the Council.

The meeting adjourned at 6.15pm to allow all Panel Members to receive a presentation regarding Social Value with Commissioning and Procurement. The meeting re-convened at 6.40pm.

Report of the Chief Finance Officer. 

The Panel received a report from the Chief Finance Officer, which provided an update on the Provisional Revenue, Capital, and Treasury Management Outturn for 2020-21. Councillor Anne Whitehead, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Finance and Resources, discussed Outturn, Capital Investment Strategy and reflected on how the Council currently measured performance. The Cabinet Member spoke of the pressure of the COVID-19 pandemic on budgets and the grants received from Central Government. She thanked officers for their work to support vulnerable groups in the district during the pandemic.

The Panel also discussed or asked questions regarding:

• budget revisions and their necessity
• revenue costs of capital investment

• structural deficits
• interest rates and returned investment of income.
• historic borrowing and changes in interest rates
• current state of the Council’s reserves

The Chair asked for future reports to have a report overview or executive summary in order for the Panel to refer to figures regarding income and expenditure and the impact of the Council’s structural deficit.

Resolved:

That Budget and Performance Panel note the Cabinet Report dated 14 September 2021 and attached appendices.

Report of Director of Corporate Services. 

Members were asked to consider a report from the Director of Corporate Services, which included an update on performance, projects, and resources during the first quarter of 2021/22.

Members expressed concern that the Director of Corporate Services, or her representative, was not present at the meeting to answer questions on the report and appendices. In view of this Members were reluctant to discuss the report or ask questions.

It was suggested that the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Panel meet once the Panel’s agenda was published to consider whether there were any queries or questions on the reports and that these be submitted to the Cabinet Member and relevant officer(s) so that responses be provided for the meeting. That other members of the Panel be invited to submit their queries to the Chair so that these could also be submitted.

Resolved:

That the Chair extends an invitation to the Director of Corporate Services to attend the next meeting of the Panel to present the Delivering Our Priorities report and appendices. If the Director is unable to attend, then her representative be requested to attend the meeting.

Report of the Chief Executive. 

The Panel was asked to consider any further items for inclusion on its Work Programme.

The Chair asked Members to inform him if there were any issues or actions they would like to be covered by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

The S151 Officer confirmed that the Treasury Management Year Review would be drafted in October and presented to Cabinet before being reviewed by the Panel. It was noted that there may need to be an additional meeting in January 2022.

Members asked for the time of Panel meetings held at Morecambe Town Hall to be moved from 6.10 p.m. to 6.00 p.m. and that when future meetings of the Panel return to Lancaster Town Hall the commencement time would return to 6.10 p.m. It was noted that this would need to be reported to Council Business Committee for consideration.

Resolved:

(1)          The Panel notes the Work Programme and Appendix A to the report.

(2)          That officers consult with the Chair of the Panel regarding holding an additional meeting in January 2022.

(3)         That Council Business Committee be requested to amend the commencement time of Panel meetings held at Morecambe Town Hall to be moved from 6.10 p.m. to 6.00 p.m. and that when future meetings of the Panel return to Lancaster Town Hall the commencement time returns to 6.10 p.m.