Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor M Hunter.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 3 September 2020.

RESOLVED –

That, subject to the noting of Councillor B Murphy’s apology for absence, the minutes of the previous meeting be agreed as a correct record and signed by the chairman.

To provide an opportunity for Members and Officers to declare any disclosable pecuniary and non-pecuniary interests in any item on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest.

There were no declarations of a party whip.

A total period of 15 minutes is allocated for members of the public to make a statement(s) on any matter that falls within the remit of the Committee. Individual members of the public may speak for up to 5 minutes, but the Chairman will decide how the period of time allocated for public speaking will be apportioned, where there are a number of speakers.

Members of the public wishing to make a statement should provide notice in writing at least three clear working days before the meeting takes place.

There were no members of the public present who wished to speak.

To consider a review of the council’s financial activity at the mid-point of the 2020/21 financial year.

Consideration was given to a report on the council’s financial performance at the mid-point of the 2020/21 financial year. Members asked questions and put comments on a range of points in the report, including;

·         the need for greater clarity when presenting financial figures in both gross and net terms;

·         clarification on the council’s workforce recovery scheme;

·         the number of apprenticeships and how these compared to previous years;

·         the number of agency staff presently employed by the council;

·         how the various monies allocated to pothole improvement works would be specifically distributed and spent; and

·         whether true value for money was being achieved through the car park pay and display machines.

RESOLVED –

1          That the comments and questions raised by the committee, be presented to Cabinet when it considers the report on 6 October, 2020.

2          That the requests for additional information or detailed, written responses, be collated by the Scrutiny Officer and circulated to the committee by email.

To consider the new Crowd Funding policy proposal, in advance of it being taken to Cabinet for agreement and adoption.

Consideration was given to the council’s proposed Crowd Funding policy. Questions and comments were made in respect of;

·         whether any potential excess funds could be used to support councils and partners in neighbouring areas, to support the wider green agenda;

·         whether the council would need to consult with residents about this new policy, in the same way that they are with annual council tax setting;

·         how sustainable this approach to raising funds and supporting local projects was;

·         what the specific costs the council and other organisations would need to pay to support this approach in the longer-term;

·         what kind of mechanism would be used to monitor unused monies coming back to the council; and

·         concern that the £100k outset fee required to be paid by the council could potentially be used elsewhere to support the Covid-19 response.

RESOLVED –

That the Crowd Funding policy proposal be noted.

To consider the proposed re-procurement.

Consideration was given to the council’s proposed Crowd Funding policy. Questions and comments were made in respect of;

·         whether any potential excess funds could be used to support councils and partners in neighbouring areas, to support the wider green agenda;

·         whether the council would need to consult with residents about this new policy, in the same way that they are with annual council tax setting;

·         how sustainable this approach to raising funds and supporting local projects was;

·         what the specific costs the council and other organisations would need to pay to support this approach in the longer-term;

·         what kind of mechanism would be used to monitor unused monies coming back to the council; and

·         concern that the £100k outset fee required to be paid by the council could potentially be used elsewhere to support the Covid-19 response.

RESOLVED –

That the Crowd Funding policy proposal be noted.

To review the council’s Forward Plan of key decisions.

The committee reviewed the council’s Forward Plan of key decisions.

RESOLVED –

That the Forward Plan be noted.

To review the committee’s work programme.

The committee reviewed its work programme. It was noted that the next meeting of the (Best4Business) Joint Scrutiny Working Group was due to meet at the end of November, and so an update could be presented to committee at its meeting on 7 January, 2021.

RESOLVED –

That the work programme be agreed.