Agenda item

The draft Resources Medium Term Service and Resource Plan (MTSRP) is presented for consideration by the Panel.

[Note: Councillor Robin Moss - Chair of Economic and Community Development Policy Development Panel was present and joined the debate on this item].

Andrew Pate Strategic Director - Resources introduced the report. He explained that members are asked to identify any issues requiring further consideration and highlighting as part of the service action plans and budget reports to be considered in January 2012 by the Panel. [Note: issues identified by the Panel as requiring further consideration are listed at the end of this minute].

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

Councillor Gerrish referred to future changes in the benefit system (page 46 of the report) and asked for reassurance on the constructive estimates. The Director explained that there were big changes ahead for this service with the Universal Credits and new Council Tax Benefit system. He explained that an internal team had been set up to look at the detail and consider possible one off resource requirements. He reminded the Panel that they had a session planned on this subject on 16th January 2012. Councillor Gerrish stated that he was concerned not to lose experienced staff in the short term. The Director explained that the service is looking to keep experienced staff.

Councillor Colin Barrett asked what ICT provision (page 48 of the report) the authority would have if Mouchel could no longer provide the service. The Director explained that the contract with Mouchel ends during 2013 when the authority will decide whether or not to extend the contract. He explained that assets used by Mouchel (such as servers, licenses etc) were owned by the Council. Councillor Barrett stated that there was a need to safeguard for the future given the authority's heavy reliance on ICT.

Councillor Robin Moss (Chair of the Economic and Community Development Policy Development Panel) asked about the risk assessment on pension predictions and the implications of a diminishing workforce due to employees transferring to Sirona Care and Health. The Director explained that the Council is the lead authority for the Avon Pension Fund and any issues on this are reported to the Pensions Committee. He further explained that the pensions issue also effects the authority as an employer and the Hutton Enquiry is looking at pressures on employers. He explained that any change in the future employer rate (for Sirona staff) would be the responsibility of Sirona. He also explained that the Avon Pension Fund scheme is closed to new employees or Sirona.

Councillor Chris Watt asked if any of the new academies had stopped using the Human Resources and Payroll services and if there was flexibility in the service if academies opt out in the future. William Harding - Head of Human Resources explained that one academy had stopped using People Services. He further explained that there is already a trade with schools so there is some flexibility in the workforce to adapt if necessary.

Councillor Charles Gerrish raised concerns on the proposed reductions in the Voluntary Sector Grants and the effects this would have on organisations such as the Racial Equality Council. He added that in the current climate of rising unemployment, such groups may have a higher workload. David Trethewey Divisional Director - Policy and Partnerships explained that currently groups are funded until June 2012 and that in the next round of funding there would be less money available. He explained that there was the opportunity to focus on the most impactful services. 

Councillor Robin Moss explained that the Economic and Community Development PDS Panel had been doing some work around voluntary sector grants and that he had concerns about the risk to external funding if grants are cut. He also had concerns about cuts in the Equalities budget considering that there had been recent cases with adverse court judgements for Councils.  He also asked if there was a risk of inconsistency if each department did their own Equalities Impact Assessments. The Divisional Director - Policy and Partnerships explained that the Equalities service would still be centrally co-ordinated but that it would be a reduced service. The Strategic Director explained that Equalities Impact Assessments would be available at the January 2012 meeting of the Panel.

Councillor Gerrish stated that there would be implications for the workload of the electoral service if the government make changes in voter registration.

Councillor Watt asked if Overview and Scrutiny Panels received information on the corporate budget lines. The Cabinet Member for Community Resources explained that this panel always see the final budget at their February meeting.

Councillor John Bull asked about Improvement and Performance and if there could be any savings in the back office service.

Councillor Nigel Roberts pointed to the spend on ICT and asked about a measure of the value or outcomes of this. Councillor Bellotti - Cabinet Member for Community Resources asked that the Panel do some work on ICT going forward.

The Panel raised concerns about Community Safety and proposed cuts.

The Chairman thanked officers for the clear information before them.

Panel members identified the following issues as requiring further consideration as part of the service action plans and budget reports to be considered in January 2012:

·  Revenues and Benefits - future changes in the service and maintaining levels of experienced staff.

·  Electoral Services - future change in voter registration and implications for increased workload.

·  Corporate Budget Lines - more information was requested on this area.

·  Improvement and Performance - the panel wished to look at possible savings in this area especially from performance management.

·  IT and Transformation - the panel wished to see more information and reassurance on the Mouchel contract. Also on IT, the panel asked if there was a measure of value/output.

·  Equalities - the panel had concerns on reductions proposed.

·  Community Safety - the panel had concerns on reductions proposed.