Issue - meetings

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

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

Please note there is a cover report for this Plan and the Directorate Plan for Place which is the previous item. The cover report is duplicated for each Plan.

Andrew Pate, Strategic Director for Resources introduced the item, reminding the Panel of the items within their remit contained within the Resources Directorate Plan (Community Safety; Libraries; Sustainability and Big Society/Communities). He explained that this month (November 2015) the PDS Panels will be looking at the initial plans. He further explained that Appendix 4 sets out the main financial implications and form the beginning of a 4 year budget plan. He concluded that there was considerable pressure on the Council finances and that there is an emphasis on growing income.

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

Councillor Butters congratulated the Director on the work in the Plan and asked if any country wide research had been done. The Director explained that the Council is alive to what is happening elsewhere tries to learn from best practice. He further explained that the impact on frontline services here has been a lot less than on other authorities.

Councillor Hale asked for reassurance that everything will be done to protect jobs. He also queried the sentence on page 55 about prevention of ‘customer demand’ and asked if this meant a move towards low human contact in frontline services. The Director explained that the Council record on redundancies is good and there is a redeployment policy but that he could give no guarantees beyond 2016/17. Regarding the query on ‘customer demand’ the Director explained that a lot of people prefer to use online services that have 24 hour access and there had been investment in One Stop Shops for those who need support. He also explained that ‘lean systems thinking’ refers to simplifying processes and cutting red tape.

In response to a query from Councillor Romero on consultants, the Director explained that consultants are used only where the skills are needed at specific times and that this is discussed at the Resources PDS Panel. He further explained that there is a good procurement framework and external and internal references are taken. Councillor Hale asked if there is a breakdown of consultancy fees paid, the Director explained that consultants are used in exceptional circumstances and usually within one off projects so figures would be shown within the figures for each project.

In response to a query from Councillor Butters about Parish and Town Council precepts, the Director explained that this is an area where the authority is looking at working in partnership.

The Panel looked at Appendix 3 – Capital Programme. Councillor Romero asked when the business cases would be visible, the Director explained that there are two levels of approval and a business case is needed before it is taken to Cabinet. He further explained that refinancing details are within the 2016/17 proposals, there is a new approach to how Capital schemes are financed.

Councillor Bull asked about the creation of a new property company to provide market rate housing to rent. The Director explained that there is a strong demand for rented accommodation and that the Council has  ...  view the full minutes text for item 38