Agenda, decisions and minutes

Members are asked to declare any interest and the nature of that interest which they may have in any of the items under consideration at this meeting.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Chairman to advise whether they have agreed to any item of urgent business being admitted to the agenda.

There were no items of urgent business.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 17 February 2015 and 19 May 2015.

The Minutes of the meetings of the Committee held on 17 February 2015 and 19 May 2015 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive communications from the Chairman.

There were no Chairman’s Announcements.

Report of Director of Resources

Purpose of Report

This report summarises the Council’s Revenue and Capital position as at the end of the first three months of the financial year 2015-16 and projections for the full 2015-16 period.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

1.1         To note the projected revenue and capital position at June 2015.

Resolved

(1)          That the projected revenue and capital position at June 2015 be noted.

(2)          That officers be requested to submit a report on the council’s use of consultancy, including expenditure and  requirements, to a future meeting

(3)          That officers be requested to arrange an all Member briefing on Housing Benefits.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Resources which detailed Revenue and Capital Budget Monitoring for Quarter 1 of 2015-2016.

In considering the report, Members commented on the cost of Consultancy, the Director of Resources explained that consultants were brought in where there was either a lack of capacity or lack of expertise within the organisation and there was an identified budget.  The Committee requested that a report to be submitted to a future meeting with more detail regarding consultancy expenditure and requirements.

In response to Members’ comments regards the large increase in Housing Benefit payments, the Director of Resources explained that cash flow profiling for housing benefit was difficult to forecast.  Whilst CDC does get reimbursed by the Department for Work and Pensions, the council does have to pay these initially which can then mean a reduction in the funds available to invest and therefore earn interest in the short term.

Given the complexity of the subject, the Committee agreed that an all member briefing be arranged to include the process, how they are claimed and paid and the drivers of the cost.

With regards to retail income, in particular at Castle Quay which was assumed to be significantly down, the Committee noted that Portas funding which the council had received, had been used to pay for two Town Centre Managers and suggested that the occupancy of outlets in Castle Quay should be given higher priority than high street units, as greater occupancy of Castle Quay would be of more financial benefit to the council.

Resolved

(1)          That the projected revenue and capital position at June 2015 be noted.

(2)          That officers be requested to submit a report on the council’s use of consultancy, including expenditure and requirements, to a future meeting

(3)          That officers be requested to arrange an all Member briefing on Housing Benefits

Report of Director of Resources

Purpose of Report

To provide members of Budget Planning Committee with an update on the business rates position as at the end of Quarter 1 of the 2015-2016 financial year.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

1.1       To note the contents of the report.

Resolved

(1)          That the contents of the report be noted.

The Director of Resources submitted and presented a report which provided members of the Budget Planning Committee with an update on the business rates position as at the end of Quarter 1 of the 2015-2016 financial year.

The Committee was advised that business rates were higher than anticipated and by the year end, income should be higher than budgeted for.  The Business Support Unit had been set up to maximise income from business rates and also explore all avenues of possible income.

In response to questions from the Committee regarding changes to council tax banding, for example when there had been an extension to a property or a house converted into flats, the Director of Resources agreed to circulate a response to Members outside of the meeting.

Resolved

(1)          That the contents of the report be noted.

Report of Director of Resources

Purpose of Report

To provide members of the Budget Planning Committee with an update on the Council’s Medium Term Revenue Plan    

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

1.1         To note the contents of the report.

Resolved

(1)          That the contents of the report be noted.

The Director of Resources submitted a report which provided an update on the Council’s Medium Term Revenue Plan.

The purpose of the report was to set out the current medium term financial forecast as a base position to then build on and update at each meeting.

Resolved

(1)          That the contents of the report be noted.

Verbal update by the Director of Resources

Resolved

(1)          That the verbal update be noted.

The Director of Resources and Vice-Chairman gave a verbal update on the Committee Work Programme.  They had been in discussions with the Chairman and the work programme would be circulated when finalised.

Resolved

(1)          That the verbal update be noted.