Agenda and minutes

To confirm the minutes of the last meeting of the Committee held on 14 November 2006(attached).

            RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 20 November 2006 be taken as read and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

(Head of Research and Democratic Services) To declare interests in any item on this agenda.

No declarations of interest were made pursuant to the Council's Code of Conduct.

Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972, together with paragraphs 6 and 25 of the Council Procedure Rules contained in the Constitution require that the permission of the Chairman be obtained, after prior notice to the Chief Executive, before urgent business not specified in the agenda (including a supplementary agenda of which the statutory period of notice has been given) may be transacted.

In accordance with Operational Standing Order 6 (non-executive bodies), any item raised by a non-member shall require the support of a member of the Committee concerned and the Chairman of that Committee. Two weeks’ notice of non-urgent items is required.

(a)       Time of meetings

            RESOLVED:

            That in future, meetings of this Committee commence at 6.30 p.m.

(Head of Finance) To consider the attached report.

Members were advised that they had agreed to receive updates to the Action Plans and the Corporate Risk Register twice yearly.  On 3 October 2006, the Risk Management Group had reviewed the existing Action Plans and where necessary had developed or amended Action Plans in view of new ratings.  The new Action Plans were required for risks that had moved from below the tolerance line to above the line following the updated ratings.

Attention was drawn to the Action Plans for each risk.

The Committee was advised that there would be a comprehensive review of the Register early in 2007 which would include a Members' Seminar.

            RESOLVED:

            (1)            That the updated Corporate Risk Register be adopted;  and

(2)            That the Register be reviewed at the meeting of the Committee to be held on 26 March 2007.

The Committee considered a report providing the first oversight of the draft General Fund Budget for 2007/08.  Members noted that the individual portfolio budgets would be considered in detail at the Finance and Performance Management Scrutiny Panel meeting on 15 January 2007 following which the budget setting process would be concluded at meetings of this Cabinet Committee on 29 January 2007, the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 1 February 2007, the Cabinet on 5 February 2007 and the full Council on 20 February 2007.

The Head of Finance reported that the latest version of the Statement of Recommended Practice that local authorities were required to follow in producing their budgets and accounts had removed requirements in relation to Capital Charges and the Asset Management Revenue Account.  Whilst this change had been welcomed it had created a considerable amount of additional work in producing the draft budgets.

The Head of Finance also advised that the confirmed figures from the Department for Communities and Local Government reflected the draft Local Government Finance Settlement agreed last year.  This Council's grant for 2007/08 was due to increase by 6.2%.

The Committee considered a draft General Fund Estimate Summary, CSB growth/savings and DDF lists including items not yet approved by the Cabinet.  In considering these matters, members took account of the previously agreed budget guidelines regarding CSB net expenditure, the use of balances and the amount of the District Council Tax.

Members noted that the current CSB for 2007/08 including approved growth bids amounted to £17.072m and therefore exceeded the previously agreed guideline by £72,000.  In addition, other items not yet approved by the Cabinet, some of which were in respect of statutory responsibilities amounted to £252,000.

The Civil Engineering and Maintenance Portfolio Holder advised that he would be preparing alternative proposals for off-street car parking increased income focusing on the medium and long-term tariffs rather than the short?term tariffs.  The Committee noted that whatever option was finally agreed it was unlikely to achieve a 3.5% increase plus recovery of the full estimated £75,000 lost income from free Saturday car parking agreed at the last meeting of this Committee.  The Joint Chief Executive questioned the lead?in time for introducing new fees and pointed out that if the increases took effect after the beginning of the new financial year on 1 April 2007 there would be a further loss as the estimated income had been calculated on the basis of a full financial year.  Members agreed that car parking charges for 2007/08 needed to be agreed by the Cabinet on 18 December 2006 in order to ensure that increased charges took effect on 1 April 2007.

            RECOMMENDED:

            (1)            That the following previously agreed budget guidelines be confirmed:

(a)            the ceiling for CSB net expenditure be no more than £17m including net growth;

(b)            balances continue to be aligned to the Council's net budget requirement and balances be allowed to fall no lower than 25% of the net budget requirement;

(c)            the District Council Tax  ...  view the full minutes text for item 43.