Agenda and minutes

To declare any personal / prejudicial interests for the purpose of Section 81 (3) of the Local Government Act 2000 and paragraphs 8 to 12 of the Members Code of Conduct.

The following declarations of personal interest were made:-

Councillor P Ewens – Agenda Item 6(Minute No. 70 refers) – Minutes - 1^st February 2010 – Community Engagement and Involvement – in her capacity as a Governor of City of Leeds High School.

Councillor A Lowe – Agenda Item 7(Minute No. 71 refers) – Financial Health Monitoring 2009/10 – Quarter 3 Report – in her capacity as a member of a Neighbourhood Network organisation management committee.

Councillor V Kendall – Agenda Item 7(Minute No. 71 refers) – Financial Health Monitoring 2009/10 – Quarter 3 Report – in her capacity as a member of a Neighbourhood Network organisation management committee.

Councillor J Lewis – Agenda Item 7(Minute No. 71 refers) – Financial Health Monitoring 2009/10 – Quarter 3 Report – in his capacity as a member of a Neighbourhood Network organisation management committee.

Councillor P Grahame – Agenda Item 7(Minute No. 71 refers) – Financial Health Monitoring 2009/10 – Quarter 3 Report – (a) in her capacity as a member of a Neighbourhood Network organisation management committee and (b) in her capacity as a member of the Swardale Swarcliffe Eastwood Residents’ Association.

(See also later Minute No. 71.)

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence from the meeting were submitted on behalf of Councillors B Chastney and A McKenna.

To confirm as a correct record the attached minutes of the meeting held on 1^st February 2010.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 1^st February 2010, be confirmed as a correct record.

To receive and consider the attached reports of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development, the Director of Resources and the Head of Policy and Performance.

The Board received and considered the report of the Director of Resources, submitted to the Executive Board on 12^th February 2010, on Financial Health Monitoring for the period to the end of Quarter 3 2009/10, together with a Performance Monitoring Report covering the same period for those indicators which fell within the remit of the Scrutiny Board.

In attendance at the meeting and responding to Members’ queries and comments were:-

-  Councillor Richard Brett, Joint Leader of the Council and Executive Member (Central and Corporate).

-  James Rogers – Assistant Chief Executive (Planning, Policy and Improvement).

-  Doug Meeson – Chief Officer (Financial Management).

-  Helena Phillips – Chief Officer (Resources and Strategy).

-  Peter Hutchinson – Assistant Chief Officer (Revenues and Benefits).

-  David Almond – Head of Human Resources.

In brief summary, the main issues discussed were:-

·  What was the current anticipated budget deficit for 2009/10, and were the strategies to reduce the estimated deficit working?

At Month 6, the overall projected budget deficit had been £5.5m.  It was now £6.7m, a variance of £1.2m from Month 6 to Month 9.  Reference was made to the table set out at Paragraph 3.1 of the report of the Director of Resources, which summarised the variances at Directorate level and also summarised the measures by which it was intended to reduce this projected overspend of Directorates. It was explained that the overall variation needed to be reduced to no more than £4m if the Council’s minimum reserves position of £12m was to be protected, and that work would continue to try to deliver this position.

·  Councillor Brett referred to the effects of the unprecedented global recession on the economy in general and the knock-on effect for the Council of substantially reduced income levels and increases in demand for services and requests for assistance.

The Council had made a conscious decision to protect front-line services such as those relating to children and vulnerable adults.  These particular areas had witnessed substantial increases in expenditure.

·  Board Members expressed disappointment that the strategies previously reported to the Board for reducing the deficit did not appear to be working.  Reference was made to cultural changes which appeared to be necessary within the authority to ensure that budgets were realistic and were adhered to, with overspends in one area off-set by cuts or efficiencies in another area.  Given the Directorate nature of the Council’s current structure, this expectation was regarded as reasonable and should be the norm.

·  Reference was also made to a perceived need for further training and greater awareness of, and concentration on, budgetary issues within operating Directorates, and the need for closer monitoring and scrutiny of expenditure/income issues from day one and throughout the financial year, to avoid the kind of cost-cutting exercise the Council was currently engaged in.

·  The delivery of the budget should be regarded as the paramount responsibility of every Director, and forecasting demand for services, and forecasting it realistically, was an integral part of the process.

·  The above  ...  view the full minutes text for item 71.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted the Board’s work programme, updated to reflect decisions taken at previous meetings, together with a relevant extract from the Council’s Forward Plan of Key Decisions for the period 1^st March to 30^th June 2010, and the minutes of the Executive Board meeting held on 12^th February 2010.

RESOLVED – That, subject to any changes necessary as a result of today’s meeting, the Board’s work programme be approved.

Monday 29^th March 2010, 10.00am (Pre-Meeting 9.30am).

Monday, 29^th March 2010, 10.00 am (Pre-Meeting 9.30 am).