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 was no urgent business.

To receive communications from the Chairman.

The Chairman drew attention to the Treasury Management training session to be held the following day, and encouraged Members to attend.

Report of Interim Head of Finance and Procurement.

Purpose of Report

To provide members with the latest position for the 2014-15 budget.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended to:

(1)            Note the content of this report and Appendix 1.

Resolved

(1)          That the “Draft Budget 1 2014-15 and Business Plan Update” report considered and agreed by the Executive at its meeting on 2 December 2013 agreed be noted.

(2)          That officers be requested to submit a report to the Committee detailing the Council’s capital and revenue reserves and, where these were earmarked, the period this had applied for.

(3)          That officers be requested to submit a report to the Committee identifying the statutory and discretionary services provided by the Council.

(4)          That officers be requested to submit a report to the Committee identifying areas where the Council could generate additional income (to include Planning fees, Council Tax banding following property improvements, and business opportunities).

(5)          That the 2014/15 work programme include an item to identify a corporate strategy for capital spending.

The Committee considered a report of the Interim Head of Finance and Procurement which provided an update on the 2014-15 budget.

The Committee noted the current projection of a £320k shortfall in the 2014/15 budget and the on-going work being undertaken to address this.

In considering the report, Members noted that whilst it was believed there was sufficient flexibility in the Councils budget to ensure the current shortfall would be bridged, there would be a further reduction in central government funding in 2015/16. As a result, with greater reliance being placed on income from New Homes Bonus and retained Business Rates, the Council would need to encourage appropriate development, whilst being mindful of the increased costs this would generate.

In the course of the discussion, the Committee agreed that capital and revenue reserves should be reviewed, and that where these were earmarked, the period that this had applied for be identified.

Members agreed that both the statutory and discretionary services provided by the Council should also be reviewed as it might be possible to deliver statutory services in a manner that delivered savings.

The Committee agreed that investigations should be undertaken to identify areas where the Council could generate additional income, e.g. planning fees, business opportunities, and Council Tax banding following property improvement, or conversion to house in multiple occupation.

The Committee also suggested that the Council’s capital spend should take place within an overall, identifiable strategy.     

Resolved

(1)            That the “Draft Budget 1 2014-15 and Business Plan Update” report considered and agreed by the Executive at its meeting on 2 December 2013 agreed be noted.

(2)            That officers be requested to submit a report to the Committee detailing the Council’s capital and revenue reserves and, where these were earmarked, the period this had applied for.

(3)            That officers be requested to submit a report to the Committee identifying the statutory and discretionary services provided by the Council.

(4)            That officers be requested to submit a report to the Committee identifying areas where the Council could generate additional income (to include Planning fees, Council Tax banding following property improvements, and business opportunities).

(5)            That the 2014/15 work programme include an item to identify a corporate strategy for capital spending.