Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the November meeting of the Scrutiny Board (Resources and Council Services).

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 13-18 of the Members’ Code of Conduct.  Also to declare any other significant interests which the Member wishes to declare in the public interest, in accordance with paragraphs 19-20 of the Members’ Code of Conduct.

In accordance with paragraphs 19-20 of the Members Code of Conduct, the following declaration was made by Councillor Ron Grahame in relation to Agenda item 8 as  a local authority appointed member of West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service  (minute 53 refers).

To receive any apologies for absence and notifications of substitutes.

There were no apologies.

To confirm as a correct record, the minutes of the previous meeting held on 15^th October 2012

(Copy attached)

RESOLVED -That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 15^th September 20102 be confirmed as a correct record.

To receive for information the minutes of the Executive Board held on 17^th October 2012

(Copy attached)

RESOLVED -That the minutes of the Executive Board held on 17^th October 2012 be noted.

To consider a report by the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development which provides an update on the development of the Council’s financial strategy.  The accompanying report was considered by Executive Board on 17^th October 2012. 

(Report attached)

The Director of Resources presented to the Board a report updating Members on the development of the Council’s financial strategy.

The following were in attendance:

Councillor Peter Gruen - Executive Member Neighbourhoods, Planning and Support Services

Alan Gay – Director of Resources

Doug Meeson– Chief Officer (Financial Management)

In brief summary, the main issues of discussion were;

·  The development of a ‘Budget Plus’ approach to financial planning

·  The need for Directorates to look at how services are delivered including in collaboration with partners and to offer challenge where appropriate

·  The forecast of a £63m reduction in resources by 2016/17

·  The need to look at income generation opportunities

·  The robustness of the population data available and the methodology used by the Council to monitor population movement

·  The impact service redesign will have on the deployment of staff and overall staff numbers

·  The need to ensure the Council has an ‘enabling corporate centre’ supporting frontline staff

·  The financial consequences of an increased number of Academy schools

·  The robustness of the assumptions made in respect of growth in business rates, the Council tax base and levels of reserves

·  The ability of the Council to capitalise on the New Homes Bonus

·  Opportunities to access available European funding

RESOLVED 

(i)  To note the contents of the report

(ii)  To request a further report on the Councils strategy to access the New Homes Bonus

(iii)  To  receive the Executives initial budget proposals at the Board’s December

To consider a report by the Director of Resources which provides information on the preparations underway for the welfare reforms that come into effect from April 2013.  The report explains the process for developing a local Council Tax Support scheme and progress made in respect of a Discretionary Housing Payment policy and proposals for a local welfare scheme to replace elements of the Social Fund.

The report also provides an update on the preparations for the implementation of the Social Sector Size Criteria changes that impact on ALMO and Housing Association tenants. 

(Report attached)

The Director of Resources submitted a report providing information on the preparations underway for the welfare reforms that come into effect from April 2013.

The following were in attendance:

Councillor Peter Gruen - Executive Member Neighbourhoods, Planning and Support Services

Steven Carey – Chief Revenues and Benefits Officer

Jill Wildman – Director of Housing Services, East North East Homes, Leeds

Paul Broughton – Chief Customer Access Officer

In brief summary, the main issues of discussion were;

·  The development of a local council tax support scheme for Leeds.

·  The Social Sector Size Criteria and the management of the consequences of its implementation

·  The capacity of Council services to implement the required changes and to manage the consequential impact and the budget implication of any additional resources required

The Board congratulated Steven Carey and his team for the work carried out in this area.

RESOLVED

(i)  To note the expected impact of the benefit changes coming into effect from April 2013

(ii)  To undertake further work in relation to the management of the Social Sector Size criteria and to authorise the Chair and Head of Scrutiny and Member Development to programme this work into the Board’s work schedule

To consider a report by the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development which sets out the Board’s draft work schedule for the 2012-13 Municipal year.

(Report attached)

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a copy of the Board’s work schedule.  A discussion on potential work items was held.

RESOLVED –

(i)  To add to the work schedule the following items;

  Social Sector Size Criteria

  Payment of Staff off-payroll

(ii)  To authorise the Chair and the Head of Scrutiny and Member   Development to refine and schedule these items as appropriate.

To note that the next meeting will take place on Monday 17^th December 2012 at 10.00am in the Civic Hall, Leeds. (Pre Meeting for Board Members at 9.30am)

RESOLVED – To note the date of the next meeting as Monday 17^th December at 10am

(All meetings to take place in the Civic Hall, Leeds, commencing at 10.00am)

(The meeting concluded at 12.05 pm)