Agenda and minutes

1.         This meeting is to be webcast. Members are reminded of the need to activate their microphones before speaking.

2.         The Chairman will read the following announcement:

“I would like to remind everyone present that this meeting will be broadcast live to the Internet and will be capable of repeated viewing and copies of the recording could be made available for those that request it.

If you are seated in the lower public seating area it is likely that the recording cameras will capture your image and this will result in the possibility that your image will become part of the broadcast.

This may infringe your human and data protection rights and if you wish to avoid this you should move to the upper public gallery”

The Chairman made a short address to remind all present that the meeting would be broadcast on the Internet, and that the Council had adopted a protocol for the webcasting of its meetings. The Panel noted the Council’s Protocol for Webcasting of Council and Other Meetings.

(Assistant to the Chief Executive)  To report the appointment of any substitute members for the meeting.

The Panel noted that there were no substitute members.

(Assistant to the Chief Executive). To declare interests in any items on the agenda.

In considering whether to declare a personal or a prejudicial interest under the Code of Conduct, Overview & Scrutiny members are asked pay particular attention to paragraph 11 of the Code in addition to the more familiar requirements.

This requires the declaration of a personal and prejudicial interest in any matter before an OS Committee which relates to a decision of or action by another Committee or Sub Committee of the Council, a Joint Committee or Joint Sub Committee in which the Council is involved and of which the Councillor is also a member.

Paragraph 11 does not refer to Cabinet decisions or attendance at an OS meeting purely for the purpose of answering questions or providing information on such a matter.

No declarations of interest were made.

To consider and agree the notes of the meeting the Panel held on 13 November 2007.

The notes from the last meeting, held on 13 November 2007, were agreed.

(Chairman/Lead Officer) The Overview and Scrutiny Committee has agreed the Terms of Reference of this Panel and associated Work Programme. This is attached. The Panel are asked at each meeting to review both documents.

The Panel noted  the work programme and terms of reference. It was noted that the review of Customer Services and ICT would start once the staff reorganisation had taken place.

(Director of Finance and ICT) to consider the attached report.

The Director of Finance and ICT introduced the report containing the breakdown of individual Portfolio Holders budget for 2008/09.

It was intended that the recommendations from the Panel would go to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 31 January 2008. Cabinet will then consider the recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the Finance and Performance Cabinet Committee. Cabinet will then recommend a budget and Council Tax to Council for approval on 19 February 2008.

The following detailed information was provided for each Portfolio:

(i)            Estimate Summary – containing actual figures for 2006/07, original and revised estimates for 2007/08 and gross and net figures for 2008/09.

(ii)            Development Fund & Growth Items – containing development fund and growth proposals, original and revised for 2007/08 and original 2008/09.

(iii)            Detailed Estimates – containing figures and comments on each distinct area of the Portfolio.

The Panel considered the detailed Portfolio Holder budgets asking for clarification on a number of points from officers and Portfolio Holders. The issue of difficult to let garages came up. The Director of Housing said he would  draw up a list of these garages and publish it in the Members Bulletin so that members would be aware of any in their area.

            RECOMMENDED to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee/ Cabinet:

That the draft Portfolio Holder budgets be endorsed and the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the Cabinet be informed accordingly.

To consider which reports are ready to be submitted to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee at its next meeting.

To report back to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee that this Panel had considered in detail, the draft Portfolio Holder budgets. They did not have any comments to add and had no particular issues to raise to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

To consider the forward programme of meeting dates for the Panel. The next and last, scheduled meeting, is to be held on 11 February 2008.

Noted that the last meeting of this Panel for this municipal year was scheduled for 11 February 2008.