Agenda and minutes

The Chairman advised that, in accordance with recent set legislation, members of the public and press were able to audio and video record all meetings held in public by Fareham Borough Council.

It was confirmed that there had been no requests to film parts of this meeting of the Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Committee, but advised that, should members of the public wish to film the meeting, they would need to respect the wishes of other members of public who did not wish to be filmed.

There were no apologies for absence.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the Scrutiny Board meeting held on 3 July 2014.

It was AGREED that the minutes of the meeting of the Scrutiny Board held on 3 July 2014 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

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 or disclosures of advice or directions 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 Director of Finance and Resources on the Review of the Draft Medium Term Finance Strategy.

The Board considered a report by the Director of Finance and Resources on the Review of the Draft Medium Term Finance Strategy. (sb-140925-r01-nwo). Members were invited to consider the review of the Finance Strategy and to note that any comments would be reported to the Executive when the strategy document was submitted for consideration at the Executive meeting on 6 October 2014.

The Management and Financial Accounting Manager presented the report and he, the Director of Finance and Resources and the Director of Planning and Development answered members’ questions thereon.

It was AGREED that:-

(a)       the Executive be advised that the Board had requested that the papers for consideration at the December Executive meeting should include information to illustrate the implications of a possible rise in Council Tax set against the current level of freeze grant available and whether or not it continued; and

(b)       the papers also include details of the approximate cost to the Council if it had to arrange a referendum about a possible Council Tax increase in excess of 1.99%.

To consider a report by the Director of Finance and Resources on the progress of the Vanguard Project.

The Board considered a report by the Director of Finance and Resources on the progress of the Vanguard Project. (sb-140925-r03-lan). Members were invited to consider the report and to note that any comments would be reported to the Executive when it considered the report at its meeting on 6 October 2014.

Reference was made to a training session for members of the Council on the Vanguard Project which had been held prior to the meeting.

The Head of Corporate Services presented the report and she, the Chief Executive Officer and the Director of Finance and Resources answered members’ questions thereon.

It was AGREED that the report be noted.

To consider a report by the Director of Finance and Resources which invites members to review the Board’s work programme for 2014/15.

The Panel considered a report by the Director of Finance and Resources on the Board's work programme for 2014/15 (sb-140925-r02-awa).

It was AGREED that:-

(a)       it be noted that Community Action Team (CAT) Review had been moved from 25 September 2014 to 20 November 2014;

(b)       the programme items as set out in Appendix B to the report be confirmed; and

(c)       the progress on actions since the last meeting, as set out in Appendix B to the report, be noted.

If requested by a member, to consider any item of business dealt with by the Executive since the last meeting of the Board. The relevant Executive meetings are 7 July 2014 and 1 September 2014. (This will also include any decisions taken by individual Executive members during the same time period.)

The Chairman invited members to indicate if they wished to consider any other item of business dealt with by the Executive since the last meeting of the Board. There were no other items of Executive business considered.