Agenda and minutes

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber, Council Offices, Coalville

Contact: Democratic Services  01530 454512

Items
No. Item

16.

Apologies for Absence

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor R Johnson and N Smith.

 

17.

Declaration of Interests

Under the Code of Conduct members are reminded that in declaring disclosable interests you should make clear the nature of that interest and whether it is pecuniary or non-pecuniary.

Minutes:

There were no interests declared.

 

18.

Public Question and Answer Session

To receive questions from members of the public under rule no.10 of the Council Procedure Rules. The procedure rule provides that members of the public may ask any question on any matter in relation to which the Council has powers or duties which affect the District, provided that three clear days’ notice in writing has been given to the Head of Legal and Support Services.

Minutes:

There were no public questions

 

19.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 140 KB

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 4 September 2019

Minutes:

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting held on 4 September 2019.

 

It was moved by Councillor J Hoult, seconded by Councillor A Bridgen and

 

RESOLVED THAT:

 

The minutes of the meeting held on 4 September 2019 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

 

20.

Items for Inclusion in the Future Work Programme pdf icon PDF 356 KB

To consider any items to be included in the work programme. The plan of forthcoming Cabinet decisions and the current work programme are attached for information.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Members were invited to put forward suggestions for inclusion in the Committee’s work programme which was set out in the report.

 

Councillor D Bigby requested that the contract between the Council and leisure provider, Everyone’s Active be considered by the Committee.

 

RESOLVED THAT:

 

The work programme be noted and the Leisure item added.

 

21.

Exclusion of Press and Public

The officers consider that the press and public should be excluded during consideration of the following items in accordance with Section 100(a) of the Local Government Act 1972 as publicity would be likely to result in disclosure of exempt or confidential information.  Members are reminded that they must have regard to the public interest test and must consider, for each item, whether the public interest in maintaining the exemption from disclosure outweighs the public interest in making the item available.

Minutes:

RESOLVED THAT:

 

In pursuance of Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting on the grounds that the business to be transacted involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act and that the public interest in maintaining this exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

 

 

22.

Budget Proposals 2020

Report of the Head of Finance

Minutes:

The Chief Executive advised Members that the committee would have the opportunity to scrutinise the draft budget in January and that officers would support the groups in putting forward alternative budgets as previously. However the Corporate Portfolio Holder was keen for the Committee to have early input into the draft proposals. She advised that the Portfolio Holder was present to receive the comments and would then feed back to the other Portfolio Holders to look at including the proposals, if possible, into the budget.

 

The Head of Finance presented the report to Members and advised that it was the first time that scrutiny Members has been engaged early and it provided an opportunity to identify gaps and put forward ideas to be considered, highlighting that these would then be considered at the Cabinet meeting in December.  She informed Members that the proposals in the report only reflected the key changes for the next year and that it was planned to roll the existing budget forward subject to changes required. She stressed that there was still more work to do especially around staff increases including pensions and pay awards, changes below £5k, the impact on Capital plans in relation to revenue and a substantial piece of work required in relation to the special expenses budget.

 

She highlighted the background to the process and advised that it would fall in-line with the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP), with the aim of being in a no worse position than what was predicted in July 2019. She advised the committee that there were two emerging issues, these being climate change and a review of accommodation, however it was too early to make firm proposals and know the impact on the General Fund. She stated that it was too early to provide a formal statement Section 25 statement in respect of the adequacy of reserves and robustness of estimates for next year , however, it was anticipated that the plans before them were affordable. She was pleased to advise that there would be an enhanced consultation process that would now include the wider public, along with Parish Councils, trade unions and the federation of small businesses, as before.

 

She informed that the focus of the meeting would to be look at the proposals that were set out in each section of the report and that officers were present to answer any questions from Members. She drew Members’ attention to an error in section 2 paragraph 2.1 where the first £322k should have read £337K.

 

The Corporate Portfolio Holder addressed the committee. He noted that the biggest difference was the prediction of a revised MTFP deficit of £1.3m but still urged caution until the figures had been confirmed and the expenditure plans for next year were reflected in the plan, as there were still huge risks should there be less new homes bonus or less business rates. He advised that it was the policy of the administration not to raise council tax but showed the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22.