Issue - meetings

The Cabinet Member for Built Environment, Housing and Sustainable Development, Councillor Matt McCabe, introduced the report.

Councillor Wait stated that there was a small amount of information in the report and he would give this feedback at the Corporate Panel on 28^th January 2025. The Executive Director explained that the Budget Report for the Corporate Panel had now been published which contains more information. Councillor Wait stated that he understood the pressures, but more information was needed for scrutiny.

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

Councillor Simon explained that Corporate Panel (14^th January) had been told that the process was around 2 weeks behind for various reasons. The budget will be revisited next week at Corporate Panel (28^th January).

Councillor Heijltjes asked about National Insurance costs regarding highways and climate emergency. The officer stated that the National Insurance cost for the Council is £2.6m and the Government pays £1.3m.

Councillor Johnson asked about the 22% increase in the cost for green waste collection (per year) in the light of the service often being cancelled or delayed. The Executive Director explained that the increase is benchmarked and reflects the cost of the service. She stated that she would take the comment on the quality of the service back. 

Councillor Johnson asked how much the likely income to the Council would be from the producer responsibility regulations. The officer reported that it will be £2.7m for the 2025/26 financial year.

Councillor Wait asked about the sickness/holiday cover increases in Waste Services. The officer explained that the overspend on salary is no longer being mitigated.

Councillor Wait asked about the Corporate Estate reduction. The officer explained that budgets are being centralised and efficiencies made. We hold a lot of estate that is not utilised, some of which can be released to reduce running costs (Lewis House as an example). Also, land can sometimes be reused or redeployed.

Councillor Hounsell mentioned that ‘Saltford for Nature’ had been doing some clearance work in the area. He noted that BANES only does basic maintenance now but no beautifying parks and green spaces. Are we happy that enough funds are available for this. The Cabinet Member stated that this was very important to every ward Councillor and hopefully this issue will be addressed in the next week.

Councillor David asked about basic play equipment deterioration. The Executive Director explained that there will be funding in the Capital Budget over the next few years.

Councillor Collins asked that benchmarking be included in the papers in the future as it is hard for the Panel to consider what isn’t being presented and see comparisons with other authorities. The Executive Director explained that there are conversations throughout the year on benchmarking.

The Chair thanked the Cabinet Member and officers.