Agenda and minutes

There were none.

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.

A member of the public, Mr Jonathan Rich, made a statement to the Panel on the subject of the A367 and Bath Road in Peasedown St John. A copy of this statement is amended to these minutes.

(Note: see RESOLUTION for minute 63 ‘Budget and Council Tax 2015/16 and Medium Term Financial Outlook’ which captures members response to this issue)

The report 'Budget & Council Tax 2015/16 and Medium Term Financial Outlook' is now attached.

Please also find attached an appendix to the report ‘Medium Term Service Plans – ‘Summary of comments from Policy Development and Scrutiny Panels’

Tim Richens, Divisional Director Business Support, introduced the report.

Panel members considered the comments from the Policy Development and Scrutiny Panels made in the November meetings on the medium term plans.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Paul Crossley (in place of Councillor David Bellotti, Cabinet Member for Community Resources) introduced the budget.

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

Councillor Macrae asked some questions about the PDS comments, Andrew Pate – Strategic Director for Resources, explained that no recommendations had come forward from these meetings to suggest a change in the budget and that the Cabinet member had taken these comments into account when setting the budget. He added that there are no outstanding issues arising from these comments. Councillor Macrae stated that he did not feel the comments useful in his consideration of the budget. There was some discussion around the rise in cost of entry to the Roman Baths, Councillor Gerrish suggested that this did not sit well with the surplus in Heritage Services.

Councillor Jackson (Chair of Housing and Major Projects PDS Panel) reported that her Panel had not made any formal recommendations but asked that the Panel’s comments on the waterways and parking in the context of regeneration be noted.

Regarding the budget papers presented by the Council Leader, Councillor Macrae asked about ‘deprivation of liberty safeguards’. Jane Shayler (Divisional Director Adult Care, Health and Housing Strategy and Commissioning) explained that this meant keeping an individual in a place of safety against their will. She explained that a recent judgement had affected how the legislation is applied and the Council now has responsibility to undertake ‘best interest assessments’. She reported that costs have doubled as a result of the judgement and assured the Panel that arrangements are in place. Councillor Macrae asked about the costs resulting from the Care Act and Welfare Support Team – he asked if officers were not aware of these things coming up half way through the year and expressed concerns that attempts to be prudent are overrided by these examples. Councillor Bull pointed to Appendix 2 which sets out how the shortfall is being made up. Tim Richens talked through Appendix 2. Councillor Crossley explained that the Care Act came into place in 2014 when budgets had been set and staff had done very well to cope.

Councillor Gerrish asked a number of factual questions on the budget papers which were addressed by officers. He raised the following points which Louise Fradd (Strategic Director – Place) said that she would follow up and report back on:

·  Why is money being spent on a highways scheme in Sally in the Woods when similar work was carried out their recently (Appendix 1, Annex 3 – Highways Maintenance Programme);

·  Ashton Way Car Park (page 74) - why are we paying for resurfacing work when contractors could also contribute.

Councillor John Bull stated that he welcomed the inclusion of an equivalent living wage in the budget. He also asked about  ...  view the full minutes text for item 63.

This will be a verbal report. The Cabinet Member will update the panel on any relevant issues. Panel members may ask questions

There was no Cabinet Member Update.

This report presents the latest work plan for the Panel. Please note that the plan only runs up to May 2015 when local elections take place. The last meeting of the Panel is March 2015.

Panel members noted the Future Workplan.

Councillor Barrett asked why it had taken so long to get the information on consultants when he had got the information from ‘Hacked Bath’.