21 Medium Term Financial Strategy PDF 478 KB
To consider a report from the Borough Treasurer and Head of Assets and to consider Committee involvement in the key stages of the budget timetable for 2009/2010 contained in appendix B.
Additional documents:
Minutes:
The Committee considered a report of the Borough Treasurer and Head of Assets on the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) 2010-2013 which was due to be considered by Cabinet at its meeting to be held on 14 July 2009.
The report detailed the business Planning proposals to develop a performance framework linked to a MTFS 2010 –2013 and to budget planning for 2010-2011.
The Committee had been asked to comment on the budget process, the processes and deadlines for 2010 and beyond.
The committee discussed the MTFS on a page by page basis and raised the following comments
No. |
Section No. / Reference |
Scrutiny Comment |
1 |
General Comment |
The approach to involving the scrutiny function in the budget setting process should be more clearly stated and recognised |
2 |
General Comment |
The use of the term scrutiny should clearly identify the context (ie specific committee, corporate scrutiny, generic scrutiny) |
3
|
11.7 Timetable/September “Member / Officer challenge” |
Include reference to Scrutiny |
4
|
11.10 Para 5 |
- Include reference to Scrutiny - Cabinet need to define ‘Star Chamber’ and clarify the membership - Amend wording to show “Star Chamber to make final decisions on recommended budget proposals” |
5
|
Appendix A, Para 3
Para 8 |
- Change “Member Input” to “Cabinet Input” - Delete reference to “opposition” |
6
|
Appendix B Dedicated Schools Grant and Standards Fund |
Scrutiny members felt further training was needed in this area |
7 |
Appendix B – Annex |
‘Consultation’ should specifically include Scrutiny input |
8
|
Appendix C, Council Tax on Second Homes etc |
Is there going to be a review of this policy, if so when? And, can Scrutiny be involved in the process? |
9
|
Appendix E - iii |
Should include specific reference to Scrutiny |
10
|
Appendix E - iv |
Change “Savings of £12m were delivered…” to “Savings of £12m were identified in the budget…” |
11
|
Appendix E - vii |
Change to “Cabinet members have expressed…” |
12 p84
P85 |
Capital Strategy, 8.2 – 8.11 |
- change name of ‘Capital Scrutiny Panel’ to avoid confusion with wider scrutiny function - Overview & Scrutiny should have a role in the initial assessment (8.6), and therefore have an input to schemes that will be submitted to the panel (8.9) - ‘panel’ should provide list of all schemes (with reasons for recommendations on each project) for reference to Corporate Scrutiny and wider consultation. |
13
|
Appendix G |
Note Member Finance Training is 2pm, 16th July (Municipal Bldgs, Crewe) – not 13th |
RERSOLVED – That the above comments be forwarded to Cabinet on 14 July 2009.