Issue - meetings

Cabinet Member for Resources - Councillor Mark Elliott – introduced the item. He explained that the pressures regarding Children’s Services showed no sign of abating. Another area of pressure has been the operation of the Council’s estate – assets are being brought back into use where appropriate. He stated that there had also been pressure in Waste Services due to the use/cost of agency staff. He explained that he regularly meets with the relevant Cabinet Member and Head of Service to better understand budget pressures and to look at mitigations.

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

Councillor Simon stated that the Council Tax Reduction Scheme was broadly on budget which was good considering it had been a significant change. He suggested that the Panel look at the scheme again in the future.

Councillor Hounsell asked about the wording around the dual running of Waste depots. The Cabinet Member explained that there was an overlap while waste management services moved to a centralised service. It is not expected that this will be repeated.

In response to a query from Councillor Halsall regarding the ‘safety valve’, the Cabinet Member explained that it refers to the school’s budget, part of which is ringfenced and paid for by the schools grant and there is a statutory override. The Council is a delivery mechanism between the Government and schools.

Councillor Hounsell stated that overspends are concerning and asked if robust conversations are being held with Service Directors. The Cabinet Member assured the Panel that this is happening

The Chair stated that the Panel would like a future update on two areas in particular – the use of agency staff in Waste Services and the measures to address the maintenance and refurbishment of the Commercial Estate (Panel agreement).

The Chair thanked the Cabinet Member