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 3 March 2022.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Policy and Resources Scrutiny Panel meeting held on 3 March 2022 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 made at this meeting.

To consider a report by the Deputy Chief Executive Officer on the Capital and Treasury Management Outturn for 2021-22.

The Panel considered a report by the Deputy Chief Executive Officer on the Capital and Treasury Management Outturn 2021/22.

RESOLVED that the Panel recommends that the Executive endorses the Capital and Treasury Management Outturn 2021/22 report when it considers it at its meeting on 5 September 2022.

To consider a report by the Deputy Chief Executive Officer on the UK Shared Prosperity Fund Investment Strategy.

The Panel considered a report by the Deputy Chief Executive Officer which reviewed the Executive’s proposals for the use of the Council’s allocation from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, prior to the submission of the Borough Investment Plan.

RESOLVED that the Panel agreed that the Executive proposals for the use of the Council’s allocation from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund be included in the Borough Investment Plan.

To consider a report by the Deputy Chief Executive Officer which provides an update on the New Ways of Working.

The Panel received a presentation from the Deputy Chief Executive Officer which provided an update on the New Ways of Working. (A copy of this presentation is appended to these minutes).

The Panel commented on how well the new approach is working, and noted that the customer is main priority, with the Council ensuring any changes to staff working patterns does not have any impact on the level of service provided to its customers.

The Panel asked questions regarding confidentiality and how this is being maintained with those employees working at home. The Deputy Chief Executive Officer confirmed that here is guidance provided to all employees with regard to working at home, which states that employees must be able to work in an environment where confidentiality is ensured.

The Panel also enquired whether any revenue opportunities had been explored with the decreased number of staff in the building. The Deputy Chief Executive Officer confirmed that initially cost savings on lighting, heating etc are being worked out by combining teams into fewer floors. He confirmed that there then may be an opportunity to lease more floor space of the civic offices to other organisations which would generate revenue income for the Council.

RESOLVED that the Panel thank the Deputy Chief Executive Officer for his 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 falls 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 3 March 2022.

The Panel considered the decisions at items 9(1) to 9(8) of the agenda.

There were no comments received.

There were no comments received.

There were no comments received.

There were no comments received.

There were no comments received.

There were no comments received.

There were no comments received.

There were no comments 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 offered members the opportunity to put forward any items of business that they may wish to consider at a future meeting.

There were no further items put forward on this occasion.