Agenda and minutes

Venue: Civic Hall, Leeds, LS1 1UR

Contact: Andy Booth (0113) 24 74325  Email: andy.booth@leeds.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

47.

Declarations of Interest

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.

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest.

 

48.

Apologies for Absence and Notification of Substitutes

To receive any apologies for absence and notification of substitutes.

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors A Gabriel and R Wood.  Councillor R Grahame was present as substitute member for Councillor A Gabriel.

 

49.

Minutes - 1 November 2010 pdf icon PDF 62 KB

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 1 November 2010

Minutes:

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 1 November 2010 be confirmed as a correct record.

 

 

50.

Scrutiny of the Budget and Performance Reports pdf icon PDF 54 KB

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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development requested members to note the Council’s Financial Performance, Performance Report and highlight any further related areas for scrutiny.  The following reports were appended to the Agenda:

 

  • Appendix 1 – Government Spending Review 2010
  • Appendix 2 – Financial Health Monitoring 2010/11 – Half Year Report
  • Appendix 3 – Council Business Plan Performance Report Quarter 2 2010/11

 

The Chair welcomed the following officers to the meeting:

 

  • James Rogers, Assistant Chief Executive (Planning, Policy and Performance)
  • Doug Meeson, Chief Officer (Financial Management)
  • David Almond, Head of Human Resources
  • Alex Watson, Human Resources Manager
  • Paul Broughton, Chief Customer Services Officer

 

Doug Meeson gave the Board an overview of Appendix 1, Government Spending Review 2010.  He reported that it covered the main aspects of the Comprehensive Spending Review and implications on Local Authority funding but did not give further detail on the final Local Government Financial Settlement which was due to be reported the following week.  He also referred to other significant issues included the proposed significant grant reductions for Local Authorities, the freeze on Council Tax, funding for affordable housing and changes to the setting of public sector rents.

 

In response to Members comments and questions, the following issues were discussed:

 

·  Precise details of how formula based allocations would be made were not yet known.

·  Councils who froze Council Tax would receive funding from the Government to the equivalent of a 2.5% increase and the Government still retained capping powers.  There had also been discussion on bringing business rates back to the use of local authorities.

·  Pooled budgets and more flexible working across different organisations – there were already examples of this in Leeds with health partners.

·   Concern regarding the timing of the financial settelement and potential on the Council’s budget setting timetable, It was acknowledged that this could cause a problem, but budget proposals, based on assumptions if necessary, would still be considered at next weeks Executive Board and be available to Scrutiny in January 2011.

·  The setting if the budget to reflect priorities.

·  Proposals under social housing reforms, particularly changes to rents, would only apply to new tenants.

·  Housing finance issues – it was reported that the new Housing Bonus would affect all new properties that came into taxation and match funding of Council Tax would be provided on each new home.  Members also discussed the implications of the proposals to increase rents and it was suggested that Steve Carey, Chief Revenues and Benefits Officer be consulted for further information.

·  Cuts to the Building Schools for the Future – the first wave of schools were close to completion and it was not thought that these would be affected.  Ministerial agreement was still awaited on the next wave.

 

The Board then focussed on Appendix 2, Financial Health Monitoring 2010/11 – Half Year report.  It was reported that there was a projected overspend of £8.5 million mainly in Adult’s (Domiciliary and Residential Care) and Children’s (Foster Care) Services.  The Board was also informed that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 50.

51.

Work Programme pdf icon PDF 54 KB

To receive and consider a report from the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development outlining the Scrutiny Board’s work programme for the remainder of the current Municipal Year.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development outlined the Board’s Work Programme and also contained the Council’s Forward Plan of Key Decisions and recent Executive Board Minutes.

 

Members were informed of forthcoming issues to be considered at Board meetings which included Initial Budget Proposals and ICT Services.  It was also reported that a request had come from the North West Inner Area Committee to scrutinise the management of sites that were surplus to requirements.

 

RESOLVED –

 

(1)  That the Forward Plan of Key Decisions and Executive Board Minutes be noted.

(2)  That the Board’s Work Programme be agreed.

 

52.

Date and Time of Next Meeting

To note that the next meeting of the Board will be held on Monday, 10 January 2011 at 10.00 am with a pre meeting for Board Members at 9.30 am.

Minutes:

Monday, 10 January 2010 at 10.00 a.m., pre-meeting for all Board Members at 9.30 a.m.

 

The meeting concluded at 11.50 a.m.