Issue - meetings

Consideration was given to the following Notices of Motion:-

Auditor’s Value for Money Conclusion

Proposed by Councillor Sam Corcoran and Seconded by Councillor Peter Nurse

Background

For the second year running an independent body has found poor practice that is wasting public money. In September Grant Thornton presented their report to the Audit & Governance Committee which found weaknesses in

• Arrangements to procure goods and services
• Understanding of costs and performance
• Arrangements to develop business proposals and manage significant prospects

The report went on to say that the Council was unable to demonstrate that it was prioritising resources within budgets in a planned way and achieving sustainable cost reductions alongside greater efficiencies and improved productivity.

A list of 14 recommendations with 7 ‘High Priority’ items included the following points

• Ensure that budgets are realistic and therefore less reliant on remedial savings during the year
• Ensure that the capital budget is set at a realistic level and therefore avoid in year slippage
• Ensure that robust governance and risk management arrangements are embedded in the Council and in the emerging arms length companies being created by the Council
• Ensure that the Council’s policies, procedures and decision making processes remain fit for purpose during the period of significant change to a commissioning authority
• Ensure that Council policies are followed and decision making is and is seen to be transparent to the public

Motion

This Council welcomes the qualified value for money conclusion from the external auditors and:-

• accepts that ‘more needs to be done to ensure that tough decisions are taken when setting the budget rather than relying on services to deliver savings in the year’;
• commits to setting a realistic budget for 2014/15 so that the major overspends seen in recent years do not recur and that unplanned remedial actions are not necessary;
• agrees to ensure that its decision making is and is seen to be transparent to the public.

RESOLVED

That the motion stand referred to Cabinet.

2          Reducing Carbon Emissions

Proposed by Councillor Steve Hogben and seconded by Councillor
Sam Corcoran

That this Council build on its previous work in reducing its own carbon emissions. 

This Council will promote strenuous further efforts to cut not only its own carbon emissions but those of its many partners within the sub-region, including the private and business sectors.  

The Council recognises that financial pressures face all sectors of the economy, but also recognises the vital importance for future generations of conserving resources of all kinds and cutting environmental pollution.   

In view of the loss of Invest to Save funding, and in its role as a community leader, the Council commits to redouble its efforts to fund carbon reduction projects, and seek support in this work from all its partners.

That the motion stand referred to Cabinet.

3          Payday Lending

Proposed by Councillor Laura Jeuda and Seconded by Councillor
David Newton

Cheshire East must be applauded in the attempt to tackle the irresponsible lending of payday loan companies by banning access to the top 50  ...  view the full minutes text for item 46