Agenda and minutes

Minutes of the Meeting held on 6 October 2021 (previously circulated). 

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 6^th October 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. 

Report of Director of Corporate Services

The Panel received a report from the Director of Corporate Services that provided an update on the status of corporate projects, performance and resources for the period July-September 2021 (Q2 2021-22). 

It was report that Cabinet had considered the Delivering Our Priorities projects, performance and resources report for Q2 2021-22 at its meeting of 7 December 2021. The Panel was now invited to consider the report and raise any comments or questions in relation to its role in scrutinising the Council’s activities and resources. 

The Panel went on to ask a number of questions relating to economic activity and the potential ongoing impact of COVID – 19, continued overspends, business rates, General Fund Summary position service variances, feasibility studies, reserves, ongoing projects and social media engagement. 

It was noted that areas of significant slippage mainly related to schemes currently within the Council’s Development Pool which are unlikely to proceed in 2021/22. Executive Management Team were reviewing these which may result in significant changes to these values. 

Resolved:

The Panel considered, commented and noted the updates on projects, performance and resources from July-September 2021 (Q2). 

Report of Director of Corporate Services

The Panel received a report from the Director of Corporate Services that set out the Council’s proposed Capital Investment Strategy, for consideration by Budget and Performance Panel and for referral of any comments to Cabinet for development of a further version to be considered by Council. 

It was reported that Cabinet had considered the Investing in the Future Capital Investment Strategy at its meeting of 7 December 2021. 

The Council’s Constitution (Part 3 Section 5 – Budget and Policy Framework) required that when a new or existing strategy was being considered, the Overview and Scrutiny Committee or Budget and Performance Panel would have an opportunity to comment. If it considered it appropriate, Cabinet may then amend its proposals before submitting them to Council for consideration. 

The Panel was asked to comment on the proposed strategy and refer any comments to Cabinet to amend the strategy before submitting it to Council for consideration. 

Resolved:

The Panel considered and noted the proposed Capital Investment Strategy. 

Report and Appendix submitted to Cabinet attached. 

The Panel received a report from the Chief Finance Officer which sought the Panel’s consideration of various matters in connection with the Treasury Management Mid-Year Review 2021/22.

No alternative options were put forward for consideration by Cabinet, as the report was for consideration and progressing to the Panel and Full Council. 

Resolved:

The Panel noted the Treasury Management Mid-Year Review 2021/22. 

Report of Chief Financial Officer (report published on 8 December 2021)

The Panel received a report from the Chief Finance Officer that provided the Panel with an update on the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) forecasts for 2021/22 to 2025/26 and outlined the approach to balancing the budget. 

The report provided an update on the Council’s general budgetary position for current and future years.  Given that, at the time of writing, the Local Government Settlement had not been announced, and other budgetary work was not yet scheduled for completion, the report was an interim update only primarily for information. 

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. 

Resolved:

The Panel considered and noted the Cabinet Report dated 7 December 2021 and attached appendices. 

Report of the Chief Executive. 

The Panel was asked to consider its Work Plan and consider any updates. 

It was reported that, at its meeting held on 4 November 2021, the Council Business Committee had considered the Committee Timetable. The Committee resolved:

That the draft committee timetable be approved, subject to an additional number (up to four) of meetings of the Budget and Performance Panel. That the dates of any additional meetings be determined by the Chair in consultation with Panel Members, the Chief Financial Officer and Democratic Services.

The Panel was requested to consider that part of the resolution regarding additional meetings of the Panel. 

At the meeting it was suggested that Corporate Directors be invited to attend future meetings for them to advise how they controlled their respective Directorate cost centres.  The Chair requested Panel Members to inform him of any other areas of work that should be added to the Work Programme to be considered at the additional meetings of the Panel, subject to these being within the Panel’s Terms of Reference. 

The Chair thanked Cabinet Members in attendance and also those providing information for consideration by the Panel and also officers for their attendance at the meeting.  He noted the apologies for none-attendance by the Director of Corporate Services submitted earlier in the meeting and expressed his extreme disappointment that the Director had been unable to attend. 

Resolved:

That Panel Members be requested to advise the Chair of any other areas of work that should be added to the Work Programme to be considered at the additional meetings of the Panel, subject to these being within the Panel’s Terms of Reference.