Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies of absence.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Policy and Resources Scrutiny Panel meeting held on 06 October 2021

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Policy and Resources Scrutiny Panel held on 6 October 2021 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

There were no Chairman’s announcements made at this meeting.

To receive any declarations of interest from members in accordance with Standing Orders and the Council’s Code of Conduct and disclosures of advice or directions received from Group Leaders or Political Groups, in accordance with the Council’s Constitution.

There were no declarations of interest made at this meeting.

To receive any deputations of which notice has been lodged.

There were no deputations made at this meeting.

To consider a report by the Deputy Chief Executive Officer on the Capital Programme and Capital Strategy 2022-23.

The Panel considered a report by the Deputy Chief Executive Officer on the Capital Programme and Capital Strategy 2022-23.

Councillor Kelly enquired as to whether any of the Council’s commercial tenants have had issues paying their rent as a result of the Pandemic. The Finance Manager acknowledged that the Pandemic had left some tenants in difficulties and that the Council is working with them to minimise any impact for the Council, and that they would continue to closely monitor them.

Councillor Walker enquired as to whether the Council’s Commercial Assets have been affected by the Pandemic. The Finance Manager confirmed that by the end of 2021 the nominal value of the Council’s commercial investment portfolio had dropped, but she explained that the actual value of an investment isn’t known until the point of sale, and that it is expected for values to fluctuate over time.

RESOLVED that the Panel request that the Executive note the Panel’s comments above, at its meeting on 7 February 2022.

To consider a report by the Deputy Chief Executive Officer on the proposed fees and charges for 2022-23.

The Panel considered a report by the Deputy Chief Executive Officer on the Fees and Charges for 2022-23.

Councillor Miss Bull enquired as to whether there were any proposed increases to the Coastal Parking Charges that were introduced last year. The Finance Manger confirmed that for 2022-23 there are no proposed changes to these. He explained that the scheme was being monitored and it was not possible to understand the overall financial position for these charges until they have been in operation for a full year, at which point he anticipated a review could take place to inform the budget setting process for the following financial year.

RESOLVED that the Panel request that the Executive note their comments above, at its meeting on 7 February 2022.

To consider a report by the Deputy Chief Executive Officer on the Finance Strategy, Revenue Budget and Council Tax 2022-23.

The Panel considered a report by the Deputy Chief Executive Officer on the Finance Strategy, Revenue Budget and Council Tax 2022-23.

Councillor Mrs Bayford enquired about the Council’s need to put money into the reserves and commented that some residents have identified that this adding to the current shortfall. The Deputy Chief Executive Officer explained that the revenue contributions to capital funding is used to replace Council vehicles, IT equipment, park facilities and bus shelters and without these reserves the Council would not be able to undertake these necessary purchases when they are needed. He also explained that in relation to the future forecast surplus of capital resources, this is not guaranteed and it is important that the Council put money aside for when it may be needed in the future.

Members also asked questions about the new Garden Waste collection service, and that there have been comments made about the profit that the Council will be making from it. The Panel were advised that while sone individual activities may make surpluses, the Council is unable to make a profit from its broader discretionary service portfolio. The income from garden waste forms part of the broader range of services for the Streetscene portfolio and that this income can be used across any services within that area.

RESOLVED that the Panel request that the Executive note the comments above, at its meeting on 7 February 2022.

To consider a report by the Deputy Chief Executive Officer on the Housing Revenue Budget and Capital Plans 2022-23.

The Panel considered a report by the Deputy Chief Executive Officer on the Housing Revenue Account Budget and Capital Plans 2022-23.

RESOLVED that the Panel recommends that the Executive endorses the recommendations in report, at it is meeting on 7 February 2022.

To consider any items of business dealt with by the Executive since the last meeting of the Panel, that falls under the remit of the Policy and Resources Portfolio. This will include any decisions taken by individual members during the same time period.

The Panel considered the Executive items of business which falls under the remit of the Policy and Resources Portfolio, including Executive Member decisions and Officer delegated decisions, that have taken place since the last meeting of the Panel on 6 October 2021.

The Panel considered the decisions at items 10(1) to 10(17) of the agenda.

RESOLVED that the Policy and Resources Scrutiny Panel considered the following items of Executive Business.

No comments were received.

No comments were received.

No comments were received.

No comments were received.

No comments were received.

No comments were received.

No comments were received.

No comments were received.

No comments were received.

No comments were received.

No comments were received.

No comments were received.

No comments were received.

No comments were received.

No comments were received.

No comments were received.

No comments were received.

To provide an opportunity for Members to consider the scrutiny priorities for the Policy and Resources Panel.

The Deputy Chief Executive Officer addressed the Panel on this item and confirmed the items that had been previously agreed upon that will be coming forward to the next meeting of the Panel. He offered Members the opportunity the put forward any new suggestions of items that the Panel would like to add to the priorities.

 No suggestions were put forward.