Agenda and minutes

To identify items which have been admitted to the agenda by the Chair for consideration.

(The special circumstances shall be specified in the minutes.)

There were no late items.

To disclose or draw attention to any disclosable pecuniary interests for the purposes of Section 31 of the Localism Act 2011 and paragraphs 13-16 of the Members’ Code of Conduct.

There were no disclosable pecuniary interests.

To receive any apologies for absence and notification of substitutes.

There were no apologies for absence.

To confirm as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on 26 October 2015.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 26 October 2015 be approved as a correct record.

To undertake the third Inquiry session into fees and charges.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report to introduce the third session of the Board’s Inquiry into fees and charges.  This session focused on discussions with officers from Adult Social care and Children’s Services.  In addition the Board received a revised version of the Council’s Fees and Charges Policy and Best Practice Guidance reflecting recommendations made by the Board in July and September.

The following were in attendance to respond to Members’ questions:

-  Nigel Richardson, Director of Children’s Services

-  Tim Pouncey, Chief Officer, (Audit and Investment)

-  Ann Hill, Head of Finance, Adult Social Care

-  Steve Clough, Head of Revenues Saving Programme

In summary the main areas of discussion were:

·  The Directorates responses to the questionnaire previously sent out to all Directorates.

·  The range of fees levied to individuals  by Children’s Services

·  The pricing structure for nursery places in Leeds

·  The pricing structure for music centres in Leeds and the action being taken to reduce the current deficit

·  Areas of traded services within Children’s Services including School Improvement and the capacity for the service to increase trade in this area with schools, cluster and other local authorities

·  The overall charges levied to schools for services provided by Children’s Services

·  The levels of subsidy given to Lineham Farm and Herd Farm and the  actions taken to ensure the Council is capitalising on the enormous success of this unique and much supported asset

·  Funding structures of Children’s Centres

·  The corporate support provided to Directorates in terms of marketing, communications and business acumen to fully maximise income potential.

·  The current consultation taking place with regards non-residential Adult Social care services and options for removing the current cap on the amount anyone pays for their services per week

In addition to the above the Board discussed the revised Fees and Charges Policy and Best practice Guidance.  The following recommendations were made:

·  Removal of all outdated references to CPA scores/Audit Commission and old legislation.

·  The requirement to produce and publish a directory of all fees and charges made by the Council should be strengthened.  The main reasons for this are in the interests of transparency and openness although there may also be small efficiency savings in terms of having to deal with reduced numbers phone calls enquiring about fees and charges. As it currently stands the Council does not publish all fees and charges and those that are, are published in a multitude of different places, making it very difficult for customers to find pricing information. It is recommended that a full list of fees and charges is published prominently on the Council website and that it is updated as and when prices change.  Other channels should also be used to  promote the existence of the Council’s fees and charges list, including, for example, One Stop Shops, social media and the YEP.  Consistency of message is crucial.

·  Where no charges are made or where charges do not recover full costs, the council tax payer/business rates payer subsidises users.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 37.

To consider the Scrutiny Board’s work schedule for 2015/16 municipal year.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report which provided information regarding the Board’s work schedule. 

RESOLVED – That the Board’s work schedule be noted.

Monday, 21 December 2015 at 10.00a.m.

(pre- meeting for all Board Members at 9.30 a.m.)

Monday 21 December 2015 at 10.00am.(Pre-meeting for all Board Members at 9.30 am.)

(The meeting concluded at 12 noon)