Agenda item

The Leader of the Council and the Cabinet member with responsibility for Financial Services have been invited to deliver a presentation on the Budget and Policy Framework proposals for 2012/13.

More information on Cabinet's specific proposals will only be available following Cabinet on 17 January; as background, the attached report provides outline information on various options.

Copies of the presentation will be made available at the meeting.

The Panel received a detailed presentation from the Leader of Lancaster City Council, and the Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Finance, on the Cabinet’s Budget and Policy Framework Proposals for 2012/13.  The Head of Financial Services assisted with the presentation and helped answer member’s questions. 

The Panel were advised that the starting point in developing the proposals had been the Council’s existing priorities, which were economic regeneration, climate change, statutory duties, and partnership working and community leadership.  Cabinet had also noted the intention to protect the most vulnerable in society as a thread running through all its priorities.  The proposals had taken into account a variety of engagement exercises with the community and partners which had taken place in October and November 2011. 

The draft priority areas for 2012-15, which had been identified following this consultation process, were as follows:

·         Increased provision for social housing.

·         More allotments.

·         Renewable energy on council houses.

·         Protection of heritage on the Canal Corridor site.

·         Support for the arts in the District.

·         Continued funding for PCSOs.

·         Look at levels of street cleansing and improvement of open spaces.

·         Diversionary activities for young people.

·         Housing regeneration.

·         Council housing oppurtunities – new regulations.

·         Council tax benefits localisation and grant reduction.

·         Implications of business rates changes.

·         Apprenticeships.

·         Working with the voluntary sector to reduce the amount of rough sleeping in the district.

Cabinet had also noted that the intention to protect the most vulnerable members of society should be a thread running through all the Council’s priorities.

Following the presentation the Leader answered extensive questions from the Panel and stakeholders on the Council’s Budget and Policy Framework Proposals for 2012/13.

The Panel discussed the issues relating to variances at Salt Ayre Sports Centre.  Members requested that the issue be considered for inclusion on the Panel’s work programme at its meeting scheduled for 21^st February 2012.

Members asked questions relating to the following areas:

·         Funding for allotments.

·         Lancaster Square Routes.

·         Parking charges in Lancaster and Morecambe.

·         Financial variances at Salt Ayre Sports Centre.

·         Charges for bins and boxes.

·         Business Improvement District (BID) for Morecambe.

·         Support for the arts in the district.

A query was raised by a stakeholder regarding funding for the BID for Morecambe. It was advised that the Cabinet member responsible would investigate the matter further to determine whether the funding could be reinstated to the Lancaster City Council budget.

Resolved:

(1)        That the Leader of the Council, the Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Finance and the Head of Financial Services be thanked for their presentation. 

(1)               That consideration of financial performance at Salt Ayre Sports Centre be considered for inclusion on the Panel’s work programme at its meeting scheduled for 21^st February 2012.