Agenda item

To consider a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development on the initial budget proposals by the Executive Board for 2011/12.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report on the Executive Board’s initial budget proposals in so far as it related to the duties and responsibilities with regards to the City Development department.

It was noted that any comments or recommendations made by this Board had to be submitted to the Director of Resources no later than 20^th January 2011 in order that the Executive Board could consider proposals for the 2011/12 budget at its meeting on 11^th February prior to submission to full Council on the 23^rd February 2011.

Appended to the report was a copy of a report entitled ‘ Initial Budget Proposals – Executive Board – 15^th December 2010 – Report of the Director of Resources’ for the information/comment of the meeting.

The following representatives were in attendance and responded to Members’ queries and comments:-

Martin Farrington, Acting Director of City Development

Catherine Blanchard, Chief Officer, Libraries, Arts and Heritage, City Development

Richard Mond, Chief Recreation Officer, City Development

Gary Bartlett,  Chief Officer, Highways and Transportation, City Development

Ed Mylan, Chief Officer, Resources and Strategy, City Development

Simon Criddle, Head of Finance, City Development

The Board noted that Councillor R Lewis, Executive Board Member for Development and Regeneration had conveyed his apologies for this item. and Councillor A Ogilvie, Executive Board Member for Leisure had attended the meeting at the required time, but the meeting had run late and he had had to leave to attend a funeral.

At the request of the Chair, the Acting Director, City Development introduced the report of the Director of Resources in relation to his Directorate and highlighted the key issues/areas of concern.

Board Members then questioned the above representatives and commented on the specific proposals relevant to the City Development department.

In summary, specific reference was made to the following issues:-

·  clarification of when Board Members would be able to see the final budget proposals relating to the City Development department

(The Chief Officer, Resources and Strategy responded and agreed to consult with the Director of Resources, but that it would likely be when the Executive Board papers were released for the Executive Board’s budget meeting on 11^th February 2011)

·  clarification of the latest position and numbers in relation to the Early Leaver Initiative and the concerns expressed about deleting posts which were filled by experienced staff

·  request to identify the three sport centres which were going to be proposed for closure and the need for the Board to comment on this proposal prior to a final decision being made

(The Acting Director of City Development was not able to comment at this stage prior to publication of the February budget papers)

·  clarification as to whether the review of Libraries had had an impact on services and the concerns expressed that staff were not being consulted on the proposals

·  clarification of the future  of the ‘free’ city bus service

·  clarification of whether or not the budget for gritting was to be cut from the highway maintenance budget

(The Chief Officer, Highways and Transportation responded and confirmed that there would be no reduction in the gritting budget for 2011/12)

·  a request for a report on the back log of pothole repairs arising from the recent adverse weather

(The Chief Officer, Highways and Transportation agreed to supply this report)

·  clarification of what was being proposed to achieve street lighting savings

·  request for details of the grants allocation reduction which was referred to the Scrutiny Board Grants Working Group

·  details of income and expenditure were requested for Temple Newsam House the House, shop, ticketing, and car park

·  a request for Board Members to be provided with base costs and savings arising from the withdrawal of all farming activities at Temple Newsam

(The Chief Recreation Officer responded and agreed to supply this information via the Board’s Principal Scrutiny Adviser)

·  clarification of the ‘knock on’ effects arising from the above proposals in relation to Party in the Park/Opera in the Park at Temple Newsam

·  the need for the Board to be supplied with details of Museums shops showing profit/loses

(The Chief Officer, Libraries, Arts and Heritage responded and agreed to supply this information via the Board’s Principal Scrutiny Adviser)

·  the need for the Board to be supplied with a list of events to include costings; whether or not they were chargeable and on any savings made

(The Chief Officer, Libraries, Arts and Heritage responded and agreed to supply this information via the Board’s Principal Scrutiny Adviser)

RESOLVED-

a)  That the contents of the report and appendices be noted.

b)  That the Board was not able to make any specific recommendations back to the Executive Board on its initial budget proposals as it had insufficient information on which to base any proposals by the deadline imposed of 20^th January 2011.

c)  That the Acting Director of City Development submit a report to the Board’s next meeting on the backlog of road repairs following the recent bad weather.

d)  That the Board’s Principal Scrutiny Adviser seek the further information requested on the initial budget proposals from the Acting Director of City Development for submission to Board Members.

(Councillor J Akthar left the meeting at 3.05pm at the conclusion of the above item)