Agenda and minutes

An apology of absence was receieved from Councillor Ms S Pankhurst.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the Scrutiny Board meeting held on 23 November 2017.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Scrutiny Board meeting held on 23 November 2017 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 invites members to review the Board’s work programme for 2017/18, and to give consideration for the draft work programme for 2018/19.

The Board considered a report by the Director of Finance and Resources which reviewed the Board’s work programme for 2017/18 and gave initial consideration to the work programme for 2018/19.

The Director of Finance and Resources asked members if they had any items that they wished to be considered for the 2018/19 work programme. The following suggestions were made:

Presentation from Vivid (formerly First Wessex) Housing Association

Presentation from Youth Services

Councillor Cunningham also enquired as whether a date had been set for the presentation from Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service. The Director of Finance and Resources informed the Board that discussions were still taking place as to a suitable date and that until a date had been confirmed the item would remain on the work programme as an unallocated item.

RESOLVED that the Board:-

(a)  reviewed the current work programme for 2017/18;

(b)  considered the work programme for 2018/19; and

(c)  considered the external reviews they wish to carry out in 2018/19.

To consider a report by the Director of Finance and Resources on the Medium Term Finance Strategy, Capital Programme, Revenue Budget and Council Tax for 2018/19.

The Board considered a report by the Director of Finance and Resources on the Medium Term Finance Strategy, Capital Programme, Revenue Budget and Council Tax 2018/19.

RESOLVED that the Scrutiny Board recommend the Executive note the Board’s endorsement of the Medium Term Finance Strategy, Capital Programme, Revenue Budget and Council Tax 2018/19, at its meeting on 5 February 2018.

To consider a report by the Director Finance and Resources on the Housing Revenue Account Budget and Capital Plans for 2018/19.

The Board considered a report by the Director of Finance and Resources on the Housing Revenue Account Budget and Capital Plans 2018/19.

(Councillor Martin joined the meeting at the start of this item)

Members were circulated a tabled item which provided some minor amendments to the draft Executive report, these changes will be reflected in the report to the Executive on 5 February 2018.

RESOLVED that the Board recommends the Executive note the Boards endorsement of the Housing Revenue Account Budget and Capital Plans 2018/19, at its meeting on 5 February 2018.

To consider a report by the Head of Democratic Services on a Review of Members’ Allowances following the Independent Remuneration Panel meeting.

The Board considered a report by the Head of Democratic Services on a review of the Members’ Allowances Scheme Review following the Independent Remuneration Panel on 9 November 2017.

The Board received a tabled item (which can be found at Appendix A to these minutes) giving examples of the financial implications if changes to the Scheme of Members’ Allowances would look if the recommendations from the Independent Remuneration Panel were to be endorsed.

Members debated this item at length and raised a number of points following the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel, these included:

·         The points awarded for the role of Mayor, members felt that this should be higher due to the high cost involved to undertake this role, which could deter some members of putting themselves forward for this position.

·         Not having the members allowance scheme index linked with Officers’ pay as members allowances are not salaries and should not be treated the same way.

·         Not to accept the 2% increase, particularly in light of the current financial constraints faced by the Council.

Councillor Cunningham addressed the Board on the proposal to change to the Opposition Leader’s Allowance, and stated that he did not think that this was appropriate, he asked that it be considered by the Executive when making their decision.

RESOLVED that the Board recommends to the Executive that the following points of recommendations from the Independent Remuneration Panel be considered:-

(a)  point 6.3 – not to index link the scheme for Members’ Allowances to that applicable to staff, with the exception of the Designated Independent Person whom members feel should be considered as a member of staff;

(b)  point 6.3 – not to accept the proposed 2% increase in the Basic Allowance and the Special Responsibility Allowance;

(c)  point 6.4 – to consider a bigger point increase for the Mayor’s allowance; and

(d)  point 6.6 – to consider whether the change to the Opposition Leaders Allowance is appropriate.

To receive the minutes of the Policy Development and Review Panels held since 1 November 2017.

The Board was asked to receive the minutes of the Policy Development and Review Panels held since 1 November 2017.

The Chairman of the Health and Public Protection Policy Development and Review Panel, Councillor M J Ford, JP was invited to present the minutes of the meeting on 14 November 2017.

It was AGREED that the minutes be received.

The Chairman of the Housing Policy Development and Review Panel, Councillor F Birkett was invited to the present the minutes of the meeting held on 16 November 2017.

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 meeting is 4 December 2017. (This will also include any decisions taken by individual Executive members during the same time period.)

The Chairman invited members to indicate if they wish 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.