Agenda and minutes

Councillor Christopher Pearce sent his apologies and was substituted by Councillor Michael Norton.

At this point in the meeting declarations of interest are received from Members in any of the agenda items under consideration at the meeting. Members are asked to indicate:

(a) The agenda item number in which they have an interest to declare.

(b) The nature of their interest.

(c) Whether their interest is a disclosable pecuniary interest or an other interest,  (as defined in Part 2, A and B of the Code of Conduct and Rules for Registration of Interests)

Any Member who needs to clarify any matters relating to the declaration of interests is recommended to seek advice from the Council’s Monitoring Officeror a member of his staff before the meeting to expedite dealing with the item during the meeting.

Councillor Sarah Bevan read two statements on behalf of Councillor Karen Walker on the following issues:

·  Capital Funding for a proposed roundabout in Peasedown St John (Bath Road A367)

·  Capital Funding for a Car Park on Peasedown St John Recreation Ground.

(Copies of these statements are appended to these minutes and are available from Democratic Services)

It was agreed that the Panel note the statements.

Andrew Pate, Strategic Director for Resources stated that the relevant Panel for these issues would be the Communities, Transport and Environment PDS Panel.

Councillor Gerrish, Cabinet Member for Efficiency and Resources commented that the Council could not build a Car Park on the Recreation Ground unless the owners are sympathetic to this. On the first statement, he commented that this should be referred to Councillor Clarke, Cabinet Member for Transport.

The Panel confirmed the minutes of the previous meeting as a true record and they were duly signed by the Chair.

Councillor Barrett noted the item on consultants on the future workplan and asked for an answer to be given to his question ‘How much money in the last financial year 2014/15 was spent on agency staff and how much up to the current time’. The Strategic Director for Resources agreed that he would work with Councillor Gerrish (Cabinet Member for Efficiency and Resources) to find out this information and make it available to Councillor Barrett.

A report on the Directorate Plan for Resources and appendices are attached.

The Strategic Director for Resources, Andrew Pate introduced the Directorate Plan. He informed the Panel that representatives from the Resources Department are present at the meeting to answer questions and he highlighted the key documents in the plan. He explained that Appendix 4 contained the detail on any financial changes.

The Divisional Director for Finance, Tim Richens explained that the Government spending review had been announced today and he would be going through the details in the next few days. He explained that some assumptions had to be made in the papers and also that these documents contain a one year budget plan with a direction of travel for future years.

Panel members made the following points and asked the following questions:

Councillor Barrett asked if there is a timescale to report back on each area so that members can monitor the targets. The Cabinet Member explained that a quarterly report on performance against the budget is produced and taken to the Cabinet. There was some discussion around the Panel viewing the budget monitoring reports, the officer explained that the reports are in the public domain and accessible to Panel members. The Strategic Director explained that the information could be shared with the Panel but it would be after it had been considered by the Cabinet, it could be left up to the Chair if it is put on the next available meeting for the Panel.

Following a question from Councillor Becker, the Cabinet Member explained that a quarterly report is a snapshot at a certain date whereas a budget is an average over 12 months.

Councillor Becker asked if members will be briefed on any changes brought about by the changes in Local Government and funding from the Government. The Divisional Director stated that he would be in a position to brief members in the new year.

Councillor Andy Furse asked for further explanation on the following issues in Appendix 1:

·  Page 21 ‘Continue to invest in sustainable energy initiatives…’

·  Page 22 ‘Align school meals service with changing needs of schools …’

·  Page 23 ‘Explore further opportunities to collaborate better with other public sector partners’.

The Cabinet Member explained that the authority will continue to support sustainable energy initiatives where other projects come forward.

The Strategic Director explained that regarding school meals, the demand from schools changes which is adapted to. Regarding Community Meals, he explained the potential impact of ‘Your Care Your Way’. He explained that VAT has now been levied on this service.

The Divisional Director for Strategy and Performance explained that there are many examples of collaboration with other authorities such as in adoption and fostering services. The Cabinet Member added that he has met with Wiltshire and will be meeting with North Somerset in January. He also mentioned that there is an example of collaboration on a large scale around Community Health and Social Care and the Pension Service is across the whole South West.

Appendix 4

Councillor Goodman asked if the amount  ...  view the full minutes text for item 31.

This report introduces the draft Bath and North East Somerset Council Corporate Strategy 2016-20 for consideration and discussion.

Strategy and Plan Manager, Helen Edelstyn introduced the report. She explained that this document would help to inform the financial plan. The Strategic Director further explained that this document has been approved by the Cabinet but is still a draft that will go to Council to set the context for the budget.

Panel members made the following points and asked the following questions:

Councillor Furse explained his concern about the Council being a ‘business’ as this implies making a profit whereas he feels the Council should also be concerned with community need and there should be a priority to consider ‘value’ rather than ‘profit’. The Strategic Director explained that not all businesses are designed to make a profit, the Council is concerned with being ‘business like’ and efficient and if there is a return then that can be used for community benefit – that is the objective.

Councillor Barrett asked if this Panel should look at all of the Business Cases. The Divisional Director for Strategy and Performance explained that the Panel can request more details on specific items to be brought to the January meeting but there are a lot of Business Cases so all of them could not come to the Panel.

A report on Performance Management is attached along with the 2014/15 Annual Performance Report.

The Strategic Performance Manager, Steve Harman introduced the report. He explained that the statutory code recommends an annual report should be published (the report is available on the website and hard copies have been sent to members). He explained that it is intended that regular performance report be brought to the Cabinet and this Panel from next April.

Panel members made the following points and asked the following questions:

Councillor Barrett asked that some comparisons to the national average be shown. The officer explained that there are some comparisons to national data and where possible this is shown.

Councillor Furse congratulated officers on the overall performance. He added a word of caution regarding overpopulation of the Roman Baths.

Councillor Becker asked where the statistics come from, the officer explained that some are gathered locally and some from the Office of National Statistics.

The Cabinet Member will update the panel on any relevant issues. Panel members may ask questions

The Cabinet Member for Efficiency and Resources, Charles Gerrish updated members that he had been attending all PDS Panel meetings, attending budget fairs and meeting with officers to be briefed on the Directorate Plans.

This report presents the latest workplan for the Panel. Any suggestions for further items or amendments to the current programme will be logged and scheduled in consultation with the Panel’s Chair and supporting officers.

The Panel noted the workplan items.