Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies of absence.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the Scrutiny Board meeting held on 15 September 2016.

It was AGREED that the minutes of the Scrutiny Board meeting held on 15 September 2016 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

There were no Chairman’s announcements.

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 Director of Finance and Resources which provides an update on the Vanguard Interventions.

The Board considered a report by the Director of Finance and Resources on an update to the Vanguard Interventions that have taken place throughout the Council.

The Board enquired as to when the next phase is completed will all departments have been through an intervention. The Director of Finance and Resources confirmed that at the end of the next phase all services within a department will have had an intervention, but this will not apply to the whole department.

It was AGREED that Members:-

(a)  noted the progress made with the Vanguard programme of interventions; and

(b)  agreed that no comments need to be made for the Executive to consider.

To consider a report by the Director of Finance and Resources on a review of the Medium Term Finance Strategy.

The Board considered a report by the Director of Finance and Resources which reviewed the Council’s Medium Term Finance Strategy.

The Board enquired as to whether the Spending Reserve of 5% compared with other authorities and whether it would change with changes to the economic climate. The Management and Financial Accounting Manager explained that the 5% figure is a suggested figure from CIPFA, however it is the responsibility of each authorities Section 151 Officer to determine the level set. He explained that at present they are comfortable that the 5% level was appropriate for Fareham. In regards to changes in the economic climate, this is something that is monitored and should there be a major change then the level could be revisited.

A question was raised regarding the Housing Capital budget and why this did not feature in the report. The Director of Finance and Resources informed the Board that the Medium Term Finance Strategy is for the General Fund, and that the housing capital programme would form part of the Housing Revenue Account which is a separate to this.

It was AGREED that the Board:-

(a)  note the content of the report; and

(b)  agree that they have no comments on the Medium Term Finance Strategy that the Executive need to consider.

To consider a report by the Director of Finance and Resources which invites members to review the Board’s work programme for 2016/17.

The Board considered a report by the Director of Finance and Resources which reviewed the Board’s work programme for 2016/17.

The Director of Finance and Resources provided a verbal update to the work programme which concerned a further amendment to the one set out in paragraph 3 (i) of the report. The item titled “Presentation and questioning of, the Executive Member for Leisure and Community” which had been removed from the 2016/17 work programme, has now been added to the January 2017 meeting.

It was AGREED that, subject to the amendment above, the work programme for 2016/17 be agreed.

To receive the minutes of the Policy Development and Review Panels held since 1 September 2016.

The Board was asked to receive the minutes of the Policy Development and Review Panels held since 1 September 2016.

The Chairman of the Planning and Development Policy Development and Review Panel, Councillor A Mandry was invited to present the minutes of the meeting held on 6 September 2016.

It was AGRRED the minutes be received.

The Chairman of the Leisure and Community Policy Development and Review Panel, Councillor Ms S Pankhurst was invited to present the minutes of the meeting held on 7 September 2016.

It was AGREED the minutes be received.

The Chairman of the Streetscene Policy Development and Review Panel, Councillor L Keeble was invited to the present the minutes of the meeting held on 8 September 2016.

It was AGREED the minutes be received.

The Chairman of the Health and Housing Policy Development and Review Panel, Councillor B Bayford was invited to present the minutes of the meeting held on 22 September 2016.

It was AGREED the minutes be received.

The Chairman of the Streetscene Policy Development and Review Panel, Councillor L Keeble was invited to present the minutes of the meeting held on 20 October 2016.

It was AGREED the minutes be received.

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 10 October 2016 and 7 November 2016. (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.

At the invitation of the Chairman, Councillor Evans, Executive Member for Planning and Development addressed the Board on this item.

There were no other items of Executive Business considered.