BABERGH DISTRICT COUNCIL
OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY(COMMUNITY SERVICES) COMMITTEE AND OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY(STEWARDSHIP) COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF A JOINT MEETING OF THE OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY (COMMUNITY SERVICES) COMMITTEE AND THE OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY (STEWARDSHIP) COMMITTEE HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, COUNCIL OFFICES, CORKS LANE, HADLEIGH ON TUESDAY, 11 DECEMBER 2007
PRESENT: Mr D M Busby – Chairman
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Mr J C Brand
Mrs S P Clarke
Mr D G Grutchfield
Mr B D Hurren
Ms J A Jenkins
Mr J A B Long
Mrs M O Munson |
Mr A F D W Osborne
Mr B Riley
Mr J R A Sayers
Mr D Walton
Mr G S White
Mr L H Young |
Mr J R B Cave, Mr M Newman, Mr C A Roberts and Mr D L Wood were unable to be present.
The following Members were proposed and seconded:
Mr D M Busby
Mr J A B Long
RESOLVED
That Mr D M Busby be elected to Chair the meeting.
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2 DECLARATION OF INTERESTS
Mr G S White declared a personal interest in the item referred to in Minute No. 6 below by virtue of the fact that he is a Member of the Board of the South Suffolk Leisure Trust.
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None received.
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None received.
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The Head of Corporate Services submitted a report (Paper G159) updating Members on the progress to date in developing the Council’s next Corporate Plan, covering the period 2008 to 2018, and seeking Members’ views on the outcomes as currently outlined, potential mechanisms for planning and review cycles and the general format of the Plan.
In the ensuing discussion the following were among the points noted: -
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The Government had recently asked the Boundary Commission to examine options for unitary arrangements across Suffolk. It was still considered important to produce a clear statement of the challenges, which would face the area in the next decade, because this would provide a sound basis from which to negotiate on Babergh’s issues, if new arrangements were put in place.
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Members accepted the Corporate Plan Working Group’s proposed planning and review mechanism as set out in paragraphs 4.3 to 4.8 of Paper G159. This would involve a long-term high-level Corporate Plan, a medium term three or four year development plan and an annual delivery plan.
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With reference to Appendix A of Paper G159, Members suggested that the emphasis should be on setting out what Babergh wishes to achieve for Babergh, rather than responding to external pressures.
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The link between the Corporate Plan and the Local Development Framework should be clearly identified in the section on “how we will do this”.
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Appendix B to Paper G159 set out the issues that had emerged from the recent State of the District Debate and Members were asked to review the outcomes and objectives for completeness, relevance and appropriateness. It was suggested that consideration should be given to the following additions: -
- Under “healthy communities” a specific reference should be made to mental health, and could the Council “ensure” appropriate access to healthcare services.
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Under “strong and vibrant economy” a reference to the importance of tourism, and greater emphasis on the importance of education and the need to protect village primary schools.
RESOLVED
(1) That the draft format of the Corporate Plan as shown in Appendix A to Paper G159 be approved.
(2 That the planning and review mechanism outlined in paragraphs 4.3 to 4.8 of Paper G159 be approved in principle.
(3 That the Corporate Plan Working Group be asked to consider the inclusion in the Corporate Plan of the items listed above.
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Ms J A Jenkins, Chairman of the Service and Financial Planning (SFP) Group, presented a Report (Paper G158) setting out proposals for the Council’s 2008/09 Budget, and indicating the key issues and general financial position in relation to the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy. In doing so, she summarised the Group’s conclusions as follows:
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For 2008/09 the budget gap was £700,000, out of a total budget of £10,000,000. There would be additional financial pressure on the budget in future years, which might make Council Tax rises above the rate of inflation necessary, and/or increase the need to generate additional income through mechanisms such as charging for car-parking.
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Early in the 2008/09 financial year it would be necessary to review priorities in setting the Budget for 2009/10. There was very limited scope for budget growth over the coming years.
The Head of Finance made a PowerPoint presentation (subsequently numbered Paper G164) setting out key issues in relation to the 2008/09 Budget and the Financial Strategy. In the ensuing discussion the following were among the key points noted: -
- It had been assumed that the Council would lose its grant for homelessness, but it was now understood that the grant would continue for at least the next two years.
- It was now considered unlikely that the proposed new refuse collection depot would become operational within the 2008/09 financial year.
- The SFP had not accepted a proposal put forward by the Information Management Task Group to fund a new joint post of Security Officer.
- In relation to Concessionary Bus Fares, the Council had been informed that in 2008/09 it would receive a grant of just over £200,000. However, this figure could reduce in future years. Currently the grant was assessed on the basis of a sample of bus usage, but from April 2008 actual bus usage would be monitored.
- The Council’s Planning Delivery Grant for 2008/09 would be based on the quality of the Council’s Local Development Framework and on its performance on affordable housing, not on planning performance targets.
- The issues raised in Paper G158 relating to the Medium Term Financial Strategy were for further consideration and not firm recommendations of the SFP Group. A majority of Members agreed that there was a need for these to be investigated further by Members and Officers. In relation to charging for pre-planning advice, some Overview and Scrutiny Members had doubts about the merits of such a scheme. This would be investigated further.
RECOMMENDED TO STRATEGY COMMITTEE
(1) That the Budget Commitments for 2008/09 as listed in Appendix 1 to Paper G158 be noted.
(2) That the General Fund Revenue Budget Service Priorities/Growth as set out in Appendix 2 to Paper G158 be approved.
(3) That proposed efficiencies, savings and additional income for 2008/09 as set out in Appendix 3 to Paper G158 be approved.
(4) That the General Fund draft Capital Programme as set out in Appendix 4 to Paper G158 be approved.
(5) That, subject to any detailed changes in grants or other areas of the Budget that may arise, a Council Tax increase of 3.9% for 2008/09, in line with the headline inflation rate in September 2007, be supported in principle.
(6) That in relation to the Medium Term Financial Strategy, it be noted that the Overview and Scrutiny Committees accept that a review be undertaken of future Council Tax levels and all income generating opportunities, including car-parking as a priority.
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Note: The Committee adjourned for refreshments between 11.00 a.m. and 11.20 a.m.
The business of the meeting was concluded at 1.15 p.m.
Chairman
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