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 2 March 2021.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Policy and Resources Scrutiny Panel meeting held on 2 March 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 received at this meeting.

To consider a report by the Deputy Chief Executive Officer on the capital & treasury management outturn for 2020-21.

The Panel considered a report by the Deputy Chief Executive Officer on the capital & treasury management outturn for 2020/21.

At the request of the Chairman, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer gave the Panel a brief explanation on the Council’s Commercial Investment Portfolio. There were several questions regarding the impact of the Pandemic on the investment portfolio. The Deputy Chief Executive Officer explained that there is always a level of risk when investing in commercial properties, however he reassured the Panel that the investments that the Council have made are low risk.

RESOLVED that the Panel recommends to the Executive at its meeting in 5 July, that it endorses the recommendations as set out in the report.

To consider a report by the Deputy Chief Executive Officer on the general fund & housing revenue account outturn for 2020-21.

The Panel considered a report by the Deputy Chief Executive Officer on the general fund and housing revenue account outturn for 2020/21.

At the invitation of the Chairman, Councillor S Woodward, Executive Member for Policy and Resources, addressed the Committee on this item. He reminded the Panel that whilst the level of government funding during the Pandemic has enabled the Council not to have to use its reserves this year, the Council was already facing financial pressure prior to Covid-19 and therefore any plans for further income streams that the Council has considered or implemented will need to continue in order to meet the on-going financial pressures that will be placed on the Council for several years to come.

RESOLVED that the Panel recommends to the Executive, at its meeting on 5 July 2021, that it endorses the recommendations set out in the report.

To receive a presentation by the Deputy Chief Executive Officer on the additional restrictions grant – wider business support scheme.

The Panel received a presentation by the Head of Finance and Audit on the wider business support scheme, which is being implemented using an allocation from the Additional Restrictions Grant funding. (A copy of this presentation has been appended to these minutes).

Members asked questions of the Head of Finance and Audit mainly relating to the monitoring of take-up of the scheme compared to grant funding allocated and regarding the impact of the previous and newly proposed training and guidance that is being offered to businesses. She confirmed that the take up of the scheme will be monitored and data on the businesses being helped will be collated. The support is intended to help businesses obtain advice and skills to help them future proof themselves going forward. Consideration is being given to some post payment assurance work to review how businesses have felt the support has helped them.

RESOLVED that the Head of Finance and Audit be thanked for her informative presentation.

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 2 March 2021.

The Panel considered the decisions at item 9 (1) to 9 (7) 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.

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 reminded members of the items that are already on the plan, especially those scheduled for the next meeting.

He then invited Members to put forward any further items they would like to scrutinise. Councillor Mrs Hockley requested an update later in the year on how the business support schemes are working. The Deputy Chief Executive Officer confirmed that this would be included in the scrutiny plan.