Meeting documents

Policy and Resources Scrutiny Committee
Thursday, 29th January, 2015 6.30 pm

Place:
Jubilee Room, Civic 1, Civic Campus, Victoria Ave
 

Attendance Details

ItemDescriptionResolution
Part I
605 Apologies and substitutions.
Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Moring (substitute Cllr Courtenay), Councillor Betson (no substitute) and Councillor Stafford (no substitute).
606 Declarations of interest.
The following interests were declared at the meeting:

(a) Councillors Woodley, D Norman MBE, Gilbert, Longley and Terry (Executive Councillors) - interest in the referred items; attended pursuant to the dispensation agreed at Council on 19th July 2012, under S.33 of the Localism Act 2011;

(b) Councillor Holland - agenda item relating to Draft Fees and Charges - non-pecuniary - non-pecuniary - cemetery mentioned during debate;

(c) Councillor Wexham - agenda item relating to Draft General Fund - non-pecuniary - son is a taxi driver;

(d) Councillor Lamb - agenda item relating to Minutes of Grants Strategy Working Party - 17th December 2015 - non-pecuniary - Non-voting Board Member of SAVS;

(e) Councillor Gilbert - agenda item relating to Minutes of Grants Strategy Working Party - 17th December 2015 - non-pecuniary - Non-voting Board Member of SAVS;

(f) Councillor Longley - agenda item relating to Minutes of Grants Strategy Working Party - 17th December 2015 - non-pecuniary - wife is a Member of SAVS Board;

(g) Councillor Ayling - agenda item relating to Minutes of Grants Strategy Working Party - 17th December 2015 - non-pecuniary - Council appointed representative on Age Concern.
607 Questions from Members of the Public.
There were no questions from members of the public.
608 Minutes of the Meeting held on Thursday, 4th December, 2014
Resolved:-

That the Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday, 4th December, 2014 be received, confirmed as a correct record and signed.
609 Council Tax Base and National Non Domestic Rating Base 2015/16
Resolved:-

That the following decisions of Cabinet be noted:-

"1. That in accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) Regulations 1992 (as amended by the Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2003) and Local Government Finance Act 2012 (Calculation of billing authority's council tax base Section 15):-

(a) That the Local Council Tax Support Scheme for 2015/16 approved by Council on 11th December 2014, be incorporated into the Council Tax base setting as outlined in Appendices A and B to the submitted report.

(b) That there are no changes to Council Tax discounts and exemptions with effect from 1st April 2015 to those that were originally approved by Council on 13th December 2012 and that these will be incorporated into the Council Tax Base:-

• Second homes (Classes A and B) as allowed by Section 11A of the Local Government Finance Act 2012 will be set at 0%.
• Long-term empty homes (Class C) as allowed by Section 11A of the Local Government Finance Act 2012, a surcharge of 50% will be set allowing a full charge of 150% where they have been unoccupied for more than 2 years.
• Properties requiring or undergoing structural alteration or major repairs (Class D) as allowed by Section 11A of the Local Government Finance Act 2012 be entitled to receive a discount of 25% for up to 12 months.
• Vacant and substantially unfurnished properties (Class C) as allowed by Section 11A of the Local Government Finance Act 2012 be entitled to receive a discount of 100% for up to 3 months. If Class D is applicable then there is no entitlement to Class C.
• That a continuous 6 week period of occupancy is required between empty periods before a further discount can be awarded.

2. That it be noted that the amount calculated by Southend-on-Sea Borough Council as its Council Tax Base for the year 2015/16 shall be 54,591.12.

3. That it be noted that the amount calculated by Southend-on-Sea Borough Council as the Council Tax Base in respect of Leigh-on-Sea Town Council for the year 2015/16 shall be 8,442.91.

4. That the NNDR1 form attached at Appendix C to the submitted report, be approved for submission to the DCLG."

Note:- This is an Executive Function.
Executive Councillor:- Woodley
610 Draft Housing Revenue Account Budget 2015/16 and Rent Setting
Resolved:-

That the following recommendations of Cabinet be noted:-

"1. That an average rent increase of 4.45% effective from 6th April 2015, be endorsed.

2. That subject to 1 above, the HRA budget as set out in appendix 1 to the submitted report, be endorsed.
3. That the increases in other charges as set out in section 5 of the submitted report, be endorsed.

4. That the management fee proposed by South Essex Homes as set out in section 6 of the submitted report, be noted.

5. That the appropriations to the Repairs Contract Pensions earmarked reserve and the HRA Capital Investment earmarked reserve, as set out in section 7 of the submitted report, be noted.

6. That the proposal to declare the value of the Council's capital allowance for 2015/16 at £32.302m, as determined in accordance with regulation 16 of the Local Authorities (Capital Finance and Accounting) (England) Regulations, be endorsed."

Note:- This is an Executive Function, save that approval of the final budget following Cabinet on 12th February 2015 is a Council Function.
Executive Councillor:- Norman MBE
611 Draft Capital Programme 2015/16 to 2018/19
Resolved:-

That the following recommendations of Cabinet be noted:-

"1. That the current approved Programme for 2015/16 to 2017/18 of £100.1m, as set out in appendix 1 to the submitted report, be noted.

2. That the changes to the approved Programme, as set out in appendix 2 to the submitted report, be noted.

3. That the proposed new schemes and additions to the Capital Programme for the period 2015/16 to 2018/19 (and later years) totalling £49.0m of which £41.2m is for the General Fund and £7.8m for the Housing Revenue Account, as set out in appendices 6 and 7 to the submitted report, be endorsed.

4. That it be noted that the proposed new schemes and additions, as set out in appendices 6 and 7 to the submitted report, along with other adjustments as set out in appendix 2 to the report, will result in a proposed capital programme of £156.9m for 2015/16 to 2018/19 (and later years), as set out in appendix 8 to the report.

5. That it be noted that the level of external funding supporting the total programme of £156.9m for the period 2015/16 to 2018/19 (and later years) is £57.8m.

6. That it be noted that a final exercise is being undertaken on the 2014/15 projected outturn and that the results will be included in the report to Cabinet on 12th February 2015."

Note:- This is an Executive Function, save that the approval of the final budget following Cabinet on 12th February 2015 is a Council Function.
Executive Councillor:- Woodley
612 Draft Fees & Charges 2015/16
Resolved:-

That the following recommendations of Cabinet be noted:-

"That the proposed fees and charges for each Department as set out in the submitted report and appendices, be endorsed."

Note:- This is an Executive Function, save that approval of the final budget following Cabinet on 12th February 2015 is a Council Function.
Executive Councillor:- Woodley
613 Draft General Fund Revenue Budget 2015/16
Resolved:-

That the following recommendations of Cabinet be noted:-

"1. That the 2015/16 draft revenue budget and any required commencement of consultation, statutory or otherwise, be endorsed.

2. That it be noted that the draft budget has been prepared on the basis of a Council Tax increase of 1.95% and the consequent rejection of the Government's Council Tax freeze grant offer for 2015/16.

3. That it be noted that the 2015/16 draft revenue budget has been prepared using the provisional local government finance settlement and that the outcome from the final settlement will need to be factored into the final budget proposals for the Cabinet and Council.

4. That it be noted that the 2015/16 draft revenue budget has been prepared on the basis of using £1.888m from earmarked reserves to allow for a smoothing of the budget gap across the next three financial years with a consequent replenishment of those reserves in 2016/17 and 2017/18.

5. That the 2015/16 draft revenue budget, as approved, be referred to the Scrutiny Committees to inform Cabinet, which will then recommend the Budget and Council Tax to Council.

6. That the Schools budget position and recommendations from the Schools Forum on 14th January 2015, as set out in Appendices 14 and 14(i) to the submitted report, be noted and referred to People Scrutiny Committee before going to Cabinet and Council.

7. That the direction of travel for 2016/17 and beyond, as set out in section 15 of the submitted report, be endorsed."

Note:- This is an Executive Function, save that approval of the final budget following Cabinet on the 12th February 2015 is a Council Function.
Executive Councillor:- Woodley
614 Minutes of the Meeting of Grants Strategy Working Party held on Monday, 8th December, 2014
Resolved:-

That the following decision of Cabinet be noted:-

"That the Minutes of the Grants Strategy Working Party held on Monday 8th December 2014, be noted."

Note:- This is an Executive Function.
Executive Councillor:- Gilbert
615 Minutes of the Meeting of Grants Strategy Working Party held on Tuesday, 9th December, 2014
Resolved:-

That the following decision of Cabinet be noted:-

"That the Minutes of the Grants Strategy Working Party held on Tuesday 9th December 2014, be noted."

Note:- This is an Executive Function.
Executive Councillor:- Gilbert
616 Minutes of the Meeting of Grants Strategy Working Party held on Monday, 15th December, 2014
Resolved:-

That the following decision of Cabinet be noted:-

"That the Minutes of the Grants Strategy Working Party held on Monday 15th December 2014, be noted."

Note:- This is an Executive Function.
Executive Councillor:- Gilbert
617 Minutes of the Meeting of Grants Strategy Working Party held on Wednesday, 17th December, 2014
Resolved:-

That the following recommendations of Cabinet be noted:-

"1. That, subject to the approval of the budget, the following groups be commissioned for 3 year funding agreements to deliver the outcomes listed below for the amounts detailed from the main grants budget:

(a) Outcome 1 (to provide support to those who are homeless, long-term homeless or at risk of being homeless or in dire circumstances, that develops self-sufficiency and independence): HARP - £159,050

(b) Outcome 2 (to provide good quality, easily accessible and legally based advice and support services): CAB - £211,050

(c) Outcome 3 (to provide effective and robust positive opportunities for routes back into work for vulnerable and disadvantaged young people aged 16-25 years): SUCET - £21,420

(d) Outcome 4 (to provide over 60s with positive opportunities to stay independent and active): Age Concern - £37,080

(e) Outcome 5 (to provide effective and robust positive opportunities for vulnerable and disadvantaged people aged 25+ years to stay active in the community): Southend Mencap - £30,003

(f) Outcome 6 (to provide community-based support to those who are victims of domestic abuse and its effects): SOSDAP - £17,510

(g) Outcome 7 (centre supporting voluntary action; an independent support and development organisation set up to champion, support and strengthen local charities, voluntary and community groups): SAVS - £84,460

(h) Outcome 8 (to promote and encourage meaningful volunteering across the Borough): SAVS - £25,750

2. That, subject to the approval of the budget, an additional award be made in respect of Outcome 3 to the Southend YMCA in the sum of £20,000 for an initial period of 1 year.

3. That, subject to the approval of the budget, an additional award be made in respect of Outcome 4 to SUCET in the sum of £8,404 towards the Senior Shrimpers Fit for Life Café for an initial period of 1 year to enable discussions for partnership working with Age Concern.

4. That, subject to the approval of the budget, the remaining balance of the main grants budget be retained for in-year grants and any awards be delegated to the Chief Executive & Town Clerk in consultation with the Chairman of the Working Party."

Note:- This is an Executive Function.
Executive Councillor:- Gilbert
618 Monthly Performance Report - October 2014
Resolved:-

That the report be noted.

Note:- This is an Executive Function.
Executive Councillor:- As appropriate to the item.
619 In-depth Scrutiny Project Update
Resolved:

That the update be noted.

Note:- This is a Scrutiny Function.
18.30 / 19.45

Attendance Details

Present:
Councillor Habermel (Chairman), Councillor Evans (Vice-Chairman)
Councillors Ayling, Borton, Callaghan, Chalk, Courtenay*, Lamb, Holland, J Garston, Nevin, Robinson, Ward, Waterworth and Wexham
(*Substitute in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 31)
In attendance:
Councillors Woodley, D Norman MBE, Gilbert, Longley and Terry (Executive Councillors)
Councillor Salter
R Tinlin, J K Williams, S Holland, F Abbott, J Chesterton, J Lansley, I Ambrose, N Corrigan, A Keating and T Edwards

Business

ItemBusiness
609The Committee considered Minute 565 of Cabinet held on 20th January 2015, which had been referred direct by Cabinet, together with the report of the Corporate Director for Corporate Services concerning the calculation of the Council Tax Base for 2015/16 and the submission of the National Non Domestic Rates (NNDR1) form to the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) by 31st January 2015.
610The Committee considered Minute 566 of Cabinet held on 20th January 2015, which had been referred direct by Cabinet, together with the joint report of the Corporate Director for Corporate Services and Corporate Director for People setting out the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) budget for 2015/16 together with the information necessary to set a balanced budget as required by legislation.

During the debate there were observations about the level of the proposed rent rise.

The Chairman advised the Committee that the Cabinet would consider any views of the Scrutiny Committee, but that any proposals for formal amendments to the draft HRA budget should be dealt with in accordance with Standing Order 10.1(e).
611The Committee considered Minute 567 of Cabinet held on 20th January 2015, which had been referred direct by Cabinet, together with the report of the Corporate Management Team setting out a draft programme of capital projects for the period 2015/16 to 2018/19.

During the debate there were comments on the Council's level of borrowing and also the Waste Transfer Station.

The Chairman advised the Committee that the Cabinet would consider any views of the Scrutiny Committee, but that any proposals for formal amendments to the draft Capital programme should be dealt with in accordance with Standing Order 10.1(e).
612The Committee considered Minute 568 of Cabinet held on 20th January 2015,, which had been referred direct by Cabinet, together with the report of the Corporate Management Team detailing fees and charges for services included in the budget proposals for 2015/16.

In response to questions, the Corporate Director for Corporate Services said that she would provide information as to how the burial and crematorium charges compare with neighbouring local authorities.

The Chairman advised the Committee that the Cabinet would consider any views of the Scrutiny Committee, but that any proposals for formal amendments to fees and charges should be dealt with in accordance with Standing Order 10.1(e).
613The Committee considered Minute 569 of Cabinet held on 20th January 2015, which had been referred direct by Cabinet, together with the report of the Corporate Management Team presenting the draft revenue budget for 2015/16.

During the debate there were comments on the proposed savings for the Outlook magazine (CS16), and printing of agendas (CS 19).

The Chairman advised the Committee that the Cabinet would consider any views of the Scrutiny Committee, but that any proposals for formal amendments to the draft budget should be dealt with in accordance with Standing Order 10.1(e).
614The Committee considered Minute 571 of Cabinet held on 20th January 2015, which had been referred direct by Cabinet.
615The Committee considered Minute 572 of Cabinet held on 20th January 2015, which had been referred direct by Cabinet.
616The Committee considered Minute 573 of Cabinet held on 20th January 2015, which had been referred direct by Cabinet.
617The Committee considered Minute 574 of Cabinet held on 20th January 2015, which had been referred direct by Cabinet, regarding the recommendations of the Grants Strategy Working Party concerning the Community Commissioning Programme 2015.
618The Committee considered Minute 521 of Cabinet held on 6th January 2015, together with the Monthly Performance Report (MPR) covering the period to end November 2014, which had been circulated recently. The Committee additionally had before it an Exceptions Report which had been circulated on 23rd January 2015.
619The Committee's in depth scrutiny project for this Municipal Year is - ‘the Council's community leadership role in promoting safer communities'. The Chairman updated the Committee on the arrangements for the witness session which is taking place on 2nd February 2015.

 

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