Agenda and minutes

Minutes of the Meeting held on 7^th December 2023 (previously circulated). 

The minutes of the meeting held on 7th December 2023 were approved as a correct record. 

The Chair advised that 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. 

No declarations were made at this point. 

Report of Chief Officer Resources (report published on 15 January 2024). 

The Panel agreed to receive a PowerPoint presentation that combined the items regarding the Budget and Policy Framework General Fund Revenue Budget 2024/25 and Corporate Fees & Charges 2024/25 agenda items. 

The presentation was provided by the Chief Officer Resources and questions were responded to by Councillor Tim Hamilton-Cox, Cabinet Member with particular responsibility for Finance and Resources and the Chief Officer Resources. 

The main areas discussed and questions raised were in relation to Council Tax information, the Green waste subsidy, the Waste Strategy, Business Rates relating to Heysham Power Stations, windfarms and the RLI, Salt Ayre Leisure Centre and benchmarking, car parking charges and bringing forward savings that had already been identified. 

Members of the Panel requested Cabinet to consider the following:

·       Green waste subsidy – Cabinet to re-consider the subsidy being provided for the service.  This will encourage households to compost their garden waste.

·       Salt Ayre Leisure Centre – Cabinet to consider benchmarking with other similar facilities to see what is achievable and ways to achieve excellence at reasonable cost. 

·       Council Tax information – Cabinet to consider ensuring that, for the meeting with the public, details of the Council Tax % increase and share for each organisation is provided.  To show the excellent value provided by the City Council. 

·       Savings already identified – Ask Cabinet to consider bringing forward savings already identified, in line with the rules Cabinet has set itself, if possible. 

Resolved:-

That Cabinet be requested to consider the issues raised at the meeting of the Panel. 

Attached. 

The Panel considered its Work Programme. 

It was noted that the next meeting of the Panel was scheduled to be held on Wednesday, 31^st January 2024, commencing at 6.00pm in the Council Chamber, Morecambe Town Hall.  The meeting to provide for public consultation on the Budget and Policy Framework General Fund Revenue Budget 2024/25. 

The meeting scheduled for Wednesday, 14^th February 2024 to commence at 6.10pm and be held in Lancaster Town Hall.  It was reported that the items for the agenda were:

·            Treasury Management;

·            Capital Strategy;

·            Quarter 3, Delivering Our Priorities.

It was also reported that training on Treasury Management would be provided at the meeting.  The Chair requested that Members of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee be invited to attend the Treasury Management training session via Microsoft Teams. 

Resolved:-

That the oral update regarding the Work Programme be noted.