Agenda and minutes

Minutes of the Meeting held on 29^th September and 10^th November 2022. 

The minutes of the meetings held on 29^th September and 10^th November 2022 were signed by the Chair as correct records. 

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. 

Cabinet will present its Budget and Policy Framework Proposals. 

Note:  Whilst the report and Appendix A are public the Appendix B1 is exempt by virtue of paragraphs 2, 3 and 4 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972. 

If Members wish to consider the exempt Appendix B1 the Panel is recommended to pass the following recommendation in relation to the Appendix:-

“That, in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act, 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting, on the grounds that it could involve the possible disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 2, 3 and 4 of Schedule 12A of that Act.”

Members are reminded that, whilst Appendix B1 has been marked as exempt, it is for the Panel itself to decide whether or not to consider this in private or in public.  In making the decision, Members should consider the relevant paragraphs of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, and also whether the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information. In considering their discretion Members should also be mindful of the advice of Council Officers. 

Appendix B1 published on 30^th January 2023. 

Councillor Anne Whitehead, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Finance and Resources, presented the City Council’s Budget and Policy Framework Proposals 2023/24. 

The presentation contained details regarding:

·       Revenue Budget (£M) 2022-23

·       Core Income (£M) 2010/11-2025/26.

·       General Fund Revenue Budget Projections (Sep 2022) (if no action is taken).

·       Council’s Core Plan 2030 – Strategic Priorities and Outcomes. 

·       Outcomes-Based Resourcing (OBR) Approach/OBR Principles/Results of Outcomes Based Resourcing Survey.

·       Savings and Budget Proposals £K. 

·       Senior Leadership Team Restructure. 

·       Back-Office Support Functions. 

·       Assets and Hospitality. 

·       Fees and Charges. 

·       Visitor Services. 

·       Arts, Culture, Heritage and Events. 

·       Business Support. 

·       Lancaster City Council component of Council Tax 2022/23 to 2025/26/Annual Council Tax Bill for Band D (predicted). 

·       General Fund Revenue Budget (Jan 2023) (£M). 

·       Future Strategy/What We Are Doing. 

Councillor Whitehead then responded to questions from members and also members of the public.  Other Cabinet Members and City Council’s officers also assisted with responses to queries. 

Issues raised by the Panel were Cost savings and processes involved, The Platform, VICs, the OBR process, SALC, posts being frozen, staff pay and inflation, risk assessments and the future use of Council buildings. 

The Vice-Chair thanked Councillor Whitehead for her thorough and comprehensive presentation. 

It was moved by Councillor Budden and seconded by Councillor Hartley:-

“That Cabinet be asked to revisit the Platform issue contained within the budget proposals.”

Upon being put to the vote the Vice-Chair declared the proposition to be carried. 

Resolved:

That Cabinet be asked to revisit the Platform issue contained within the budget proposals. 

Report of Cabinet.  Report and appendices published on 30^th January 2023. 

The Panel received a report from the Chief Executive and Chief Finance/Section 151 Officer that provided members with an update on performance, projects, and resources during the first two quarters of 2022/23 (April – September 2022). 

The report considered by Cabinet on 6 December 2022 was submitted.  This provided Members with a view of progress against the Council’s agreed priorities for Quarter 2 of the 2022/23 performance monitoring cycle. 

The Panel was asked to consider the Cabinet report and attachments in line with their Terms of Reference within the Constitution relating to the monitoring and review of the Council’s performance. 

Members asked a number of questions in relation to write-offs, Council Tax business rates, grants, Housing Benefit overpayments and the Yorkshire Purchasing Organisation/energy costs. 

It was moved by Councillor Maddocks and seconded by Councillor Dennison:-

“That a vote of thanks be conveyed to the Financial Team and the Cabinet for being so open and having a wonderful process and to the Head of Pay Service for introducing the issue of peoples redundancies in a very sensitive manner.”

Upon being put to the vote the Vice-Chair declared the proposition to be carried. 

Members of the Panel also thanked the Vice-Chair for Chairing the meeting in the absence of the Chair. 

Resolved:

That a vote of thanks be conveyed to the Financial Team and the Cabinet for being so open and having a wonderful process and to the Head of Pay Service for introducing the issue of peoples redundancies in a very sensitive manner.