Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 28 November 2016 be approved as a correct record.

The Committee considered the Council’s overall performance, procurement and financial position for the period ended 31 December 2016 (“Third Quarter 2016/17”).

The report summarised overall financial performance for 2016/17 with particular emphasis on the key sources of financial risk to the Council, and specific areas for consideration were set out within the report..

The implementation of a procurement strategy was agreed in April 2014, and is a key element to achieving the savings included in the Council’s Efficiency and Rationalisation Strategy.

The performance and customer feedback report provided Councillors with an overview of performance in relation to the Council’s corporate plan priorities and the associated performance targets and projects.  Comments were made regarding the format of the performance report, to which members were advised that an Annual Review would be submitted to the next meeting of the Committee, following which a meeting of the Performance Framework Working Group would be arranged to enable members to review the format and content of the report.

Reference was made to the inclusion within the procurement report of the Glossop Creative Industries Strategies, and it was requested that there be an opportunity for a member briefing around this issue.

In response to a query around the status of the Combined Authority Project, the Leader advised that work was on-going with Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire to formalise some activities which could be undertaken jointly.  A further report would be submitted to this Committee in due course.

In response to a query, it was confirmed that the Council had submitted a response to the Derbyshire County Council consultation around parking in Buxton, a copy of which would be circulated.

RESOLVED:

That the third Quarter 2016/17 financial, procurement and performance position as detailed in Appendices A, B and C and summarised at paragraph 3.3 of the covering report be noted.

The Committee considered the proposed Budget for 2017/18 updated Medium Term Financial Plan 2017/18 – 2020/21, together with the HRA Financial Improvement Plan 2017/18 – 20/21, the proposed Efficiency and Rationalisation Strategy 2017/18 – 2020/21 and proposed Fees and Charges for 2017/18.

A balanced General Fund budget for 2017/18 has been achieved, with the inclusion of an efficiency and rationalisation target of £310,000 (as per the proposed Efficiency & Rationalisation Strategy) and the drawdown of £547,020 in reserves.  A balanced HRA budget for 2017/18 has been achieved (with a contribution to balances) and an interim reduction to the capital programme has been made with schemes included on a priority basis pending stock condition information. 

It was noted that, due to the timing of the achievement of savings as set out in the report, in future years there would be necessity to make further drawdowns from the contingency reserves which would result in a reduction in the General Fund contingency reserve to £1.4 million by 2020/21.

While the strategy proposed within the report was supported, in response to a query regarding the savings targets, members were advised that while there were a considerable number of uncertainties in the budget, a number of prudent assumptions had been made which would be kept under close scrutiny to enable mitigating action to be taken if necessary. 

Concern was expressed regarding whether the level of resources within the Assets Team could meet demand, and members were advised that the Assets Working Group were addressing a number of issues relating to assets and that there had been discussions around prioritisation.  It was acknowledged that the council’s assets did present an challenge, together with opportunities for the Council to make further savings.    

RESOLVED:

That the Executive be requested to recommend that Council:

·         Approves the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Budget for 2017/18 as detailed in Appendix A (section 8);

·         Approves the revised Medium Term Financial Plan (2017 to 2020/21) as detailed in Appendix A, including the revised Capital Programme (attached at Annex A & B);

·         Approves the proposed HRA Business Plan – Financial Improvement Plan 2017/18 – 2020/12 as detailed in Appendix B;

·         Approves the proposed Efficiency & Rationalisation Strategy for 2017/18 – 2020/21 as detailed in Appendix C;

·         Approves the proposed Fees and Charges for 2017/18 as detailed in Appendix D;

·         Approves a Band D Council Tax of £181.11 for 2017/17 (increase of 1.9%);

·         Approves the following HRA Charges:

o   Dwellings rents to reduce by an average of 1% (over 52 weeks) from £71.47 to £70.73 average per week

o   Garage rents to be increased by 1% (over 52 weeks) from £6.10 to £6.16 average per week

o   Other charges including service charges to increase by a maximum of 1%

o   Fuel charges at individual blocks have been reviewed based on 2015/16 fuel costs, the individual charges are detailed in paragraph 8.4 of Appendix A;

·         That the view of the Chief Finance Officer that the level of reserves is adequate for the Council based on this budget  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17/65

The Committee considered an update report on the Right to Buy Scheme, which allows the Council to work with registered providers to offer up to 30% funding towards the provision of affordable housing throughout the Borough.

Although a range of options and initiatives has been explored in order to use the RTB money most efficiently and on appropriate projects to deliver affordable housing, the Council has been unable to spend all of the receipts that expired on 31 December and will have to pay back the remaining RTB receipt of Government, including interest accrued.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

The Committee considered an application for a Heritage Regeneration Grant.

RESOLVED:

That the Executive be recommended to approve a maximum grant of up to £10,000 (inc VAT) for eligible works totalling £23,520 (inc VAT) towards the reinstatement of a traditional stone roof at 11 Highgate Road, Hayfield.

The following items were added to the work programme:

·         Asset Management – Corporate Select – June

·         Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire negotiations – Corporate Select – June

·         White paper – Housing Select - March

RESOLVED:

That, subject to  the above additions, the Select Committee Work Programmes be noted.

To resolve that the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items of business as there may be disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972

The Committee considered options around the development of a joint venture company for the delivery of waste collection, street cleansing, grounds maintenance and fleet management services and supported the recommendations within the report.