Agenda and minutes

In accordance with Rule 8, paragraph c, Part 3 – Rules of Procedure, Section 3, the Chair and Vice Chair shall not be members of the largest political group which has Councillors serving on the Cabinet. 

It was proposed by Councillor Phil Black, seconded by Councillor Tim Dant and unanimously agreed:-

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

Resolved: 

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

Minutes of the Meeting held on 28^th July 2022 (previously circulated). 

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 28th July 2022 were signed by the Chairman 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. 

Note:  All Members of Council are invited to attend the meeting for this item. 

All Members of Council had been invited to attend the meeting for this item. 

The Acting Director for Communities and the Environment provided a presentation on her Directorate.  The services contained in the Directorate included Housing, Community Involvement and Leisure, Public Protection and Public Realm.  The presentation covered the following main areas:

Priorities, Strategy and Outcomes. 

Home Improvement Agency.  Exemplar of Good Practice. 

Services Delivered.

Strategic Fit. 

Finances. 

Performance. 

Housing Options – Homelessness

Strategic Fit. 

Finances. 

Performance. 

Community Involvement and Leisure. 

Corporate Plan Priorities. 

Salt Ayre – Centre Subsidy, Total Visits Q1, Customer Service Interaction Q1, Grants Delivered. 

KPI’s Quarter 1. 

Sustainable district – role of Public Protection. 

An inclusive and prosperous local economy – public protection. 

Healthy and happier communities – public protection. 

A cooperative, kind and responsible council – public protection. 

Funding position. 

Overview of Services – Public Realm. 

Strategic Fit. 

Financial Position. 

Expenditure. 

Income. 

Each service advised of Challenges and Opportunities. 

The presentation concluded with the Panel being informed of Communities and the Environment achievements. 

Members then asked questions on the following subjects:-

·       DFGs and whether there is a policy regarding major refurbishments.

·       Government consultation with local authorities and consequences for council and rented housing for asylum seekers. 

·       Support and grants for families hosting Ukrainian families. 

·       Shortage of housing accommodation. 

·       Pressure on services and any changes since the pandemic. 

·       Air quality/pollution and areas of concern. 

·       Weed control. 

·       Pest control. 

·       Various budget queries. 

·       Implications of OBR. 

·       Income generation/services provided to the public. 

The Chairman, on behalf of the Panel, thanked officers for their attendance, for the presentation and information provided. 

Councillor Whitehead, Cabinet Member withparticular responsibility for Finance and Resources, has been invited to the meeting for this item. 

Report of the Chief Finance Officer.  Report and Appendices published on 14^th September 2022. 

The Panel received a report from the Chief Finance Officer, which provided summary information regarding the provisional outturn for 2021/22, including treasury management. It also set out information regarding the carry forward of capital slippage and other matters for Members’ consideration.

The options, options analysis, including risk assessment and officer preferred option provided to Cabinet, were set out in the report. 

The Cabinet report had requested Cabinet to consider a number of revenue overspending, capital slippage and other budget adjustment matters. The framework for considering these was set out in the report. 

Although the Council’s financial position appears relatively healthy with a surplus against the revised budget and an overall increase in the level of reserves held, the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy suggested a structural budget gap in 2022/23 onwards of approximately £2.183M rising to £4.668M.  Work had commenced to support opportunities to address the underlying structural deficit, by:

·             -  Increasing and diversifying income

·  - Improving productivity and securing efficiencies via new ways of working (e.g.Outcomes Based Resourcing)

·             -  Developing alternative ways to achieve priority outcomes (e.g., partnership)

The Panel also discussed or asked questions regarding:

·            Capital projects not going ahead and implications on borrowing. 

·            Loss of income. 

·            Government grants and funding. 

·            OBR and planning for future budgets. 

Resolved:

That the Cabinet report and appendices dated 13^th September 2022 be noted.