Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies of absence for this meeting. However, it was noted that whilst Councillor Ford was in attendance at the meeting, he was no longer a member of the Scrutiny Panel having been voted as Executive Member for Streetscene at the Executive meeting on 4 January 2021, and therefore his attendance at the meeting was that of observer not Committee Member.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Policy and Resources Scrutiny Panel meeting held on 8 October 2020.

RESOLVED that, subject to two typo’s being corrected, the minutes of the Policy and Resources Scrutiny Panel held on 8 October 2020 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

The Chairman used to the Chairman’s announcements to pay tribute to her fellow Ward Councillor, Keith Evans, who sadly passed away in December.

The Committee expressed their loss of their colleague and all agreed he would be greatly missed.

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 receive a presentation by the Head of Planning Strategy & Economic Development on an update to the Council’s Economic Recovery Plan.

The Panel received a presentation from the Head of Planning Strategy & Economic Development which provided an update to the Council’s Economic Recovery Plan. (presentation is appended to these minutes)

Members asked questions and points of clarity on the presentation.

RESOLVED that the Panel:

(a)  note the content of the presentation; and

(b)  thank the Head of Planning Strategy & Economic Development for her informative presentation.

To consider a report by the Deputy Chief Executive Officer on the Capital Programme 2012/22.

The Panel considered a report by the Deputy Chief Executive Officer on the Capital Programme and Capital Strategy for 2021/22.

RESOLVED that the Panel:

(a)  note the content of the report;

(b)  agree that there are no comments or recommendations to pass to the Executive at its meeting 1 February 2021.

To consider a report by the Deputy Chief Executive Officer on the General Fund Revenue Budget 2021/22.

The Panel considered a report by the Deputy Chief Executive Officer on the General Fund Revenue Budget 2021/22.

RESOLVED that the Panel:

(a)  note the content of the report; and

(b)  agree that there were no comments or recommendations to pass to the Executive at its meeting 1 February 2021.

To consider a report by the Deputy Chief Executive Officer on the Hosing Revenue Account Budget 2021/22.

The Panel considered a report by the Deputy Chief Executive Officer on the Housing Revenue Account Budget and Capital Plans 2021/2022.

RESOLVED that the Panel:

(a)  note the content of the report; and

(b)  agree that there were no comments or recommendations to forward to the Executive at its meeting 1 February 2021.

To consider a report by the Deputy Chief Executive Officer on Fees and Charges.

The Panel considered a report by the Deputy Chief Executive Officer on the Fees and Charges for 2021/2022.

RESOLVED that the Panel:

(a)  note the content of the report;

(b)  agree that there are no comments or recommendations to pass to the Executive at its meeting 1 February 2021.

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 fall 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 8 October 2020.

The Panel considered the decisions at items 11 (1) to 11 (9) 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.

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 shared with them a draft Scrutiny Priority Plan 2021/22 that he had drawn up following discussions with the Chairman.

He gave members the opportunity to put forward suggestions for items of business that they were keen to scrutinize. Councillor Mrs Hockley was keen to see the update on the Town Centre Regeneration and noted that it was currently planned for the June 2021 meeting.

Councillor Walker requested an update of the latest Lockdown on the Council finances. The Deputy Chief Executive Officer confirmed that there would a final review of this in June, however he agreed that a light touch update on it is provided to members at the next meeting of the Panel in March.