Agenda item

The draft Resources Medium Term Service & Resource Plan (MTSRP) update is presented for consideration by the panel to ensure all members of the panel are aware of the context and enabled to comment.

Andrew Pate – Strategic Director of Resources introduced the report and explained that it presents the “year-3” update in a three year budget planning process. He highlighted only three areas where the report shows savings are not on track:

·  Corporate Assets Consolidation;

·  Tourism Levy;

·  Additional Advertising Income (only a proportion of this).

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

Councillor Macrae asked about the impact of the three areas above. The Strategic Director explained that not delivering these amounts has been allowed for.

Councillor Gerrish asked about the 20% reduction in the educational support grant from the government – he asked if this is due to academies. The Strategic Director explained that this reduction is across the board.  The Cabinet Member stated that the government has cut 20% of the local authority support grant but much of the work continues such as admissions.

Councillor Gerrish stated that the commercial estate income has not increased but it has been offset by the rise in housing benefits – he feels that these two areas should not be connected. The Strategic Director explained that the Property situation should be largely on track by the end of the financial year. One area does offset the other one on the bottom line.

Councillor Gerrish referred to page 33 in the report and asked questions around the following:

·  ICT Corporate – is there an update?

·  Customer Service – are their staffing implications?

·  HR and Payroll – are savings in line with reductions?

·  Libraries – is this just through streamlining?

·  Finance – what is the ‘higher risk item’ mentioned?

·  Policy and Partnerships – is the information contradictory?

The Strategic Director explained that the central column is a repeat of what members have seen before and the right hand column is the updated information. He addressed the points raised above:

·  ICT Corporate – there has been a centralisation of budgets and the service is back in house, this is on track and very good progress made.

·  Customer Service – there are no staff impacts.

·  HR and Payroll – yes savings are in line with target reductions.

·  Libraries – there has been a lot of staff turnover and positions are evaluated each time. This is being picked up by the customer service programme.

·  Finance – the demand on this service is increasing rapidly and there is regular reporting. This needs further analysis and is a higher risk saving.

·  Policy and Partnerships – estimates now allow for this, the saving on Christmas lights is not going forwards.

Councillor Gerrish thanked the Strategic Director for the information.

(Note: Councillors Bellotti and Roberts left the meeting at 7.10pm)

Councillor Anketell-Jones asked about the Tourism Levy and why the voluntary contribution has not been considered. The Strategic Director explained that the visitors have to “opt in” to pay this contribution and the view has been taken that this new legal requirement means it would not even generate enough income to cover the administration costs.

Councillor Barrett asked about reductions in the Christmas Lights budget, he also asked if businesses are paying towards the lights. The Strategic Director explained that business within the remit of the Place directorate. He stated that there is no plan to remove funding for the lights and business contributions towards the lights should be explored. Councillor Macrae added that at some point the way Christmas lights are funded must be addressed as some residents effectively pay twice as a result of the way parish precepts work.

The Chair thanked the officers.