Agenda and minutes

To provide an opportunity for Members and Officers to declare any personal and/or prejudicial interests in any item on the agenda

None

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

None

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 20 January 2010 as a correct record

RESOLVED

That the minute of the meeting be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The Chairman to update the Committee

RESOLVED

That following the circulation of two media releases on 13 and 26 January 2010, regarding the changes to existing car parking charge proposals, the Car Parking Task and Finish Panel be put on hold until Civil Enforcement of on street car parking had taken place across the former area of Congleton Borough Council and the effects of displacement had become clear. The Committee may then decide to continue with the Panel and revise the Terms of Reference accordingly.

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer.

Please note that due to the very tight schedule that the Cabinet and Officers have been working to in order to put together the final budget proposals for 2010/2011, it has not been possible to complete the report within the normal timescales, and therefore the report will be circulated to all Members on the 4 February 2010. 

The Committee considered a report of the Borough Treasurer containing the formal consultation by Cabinet of the Budget for 2010/2011.

The report set out in detail the spending plans and income targets for the Council for the financial year starting on 1 April 2010.

Members were informed that the Corporate Scrutiny Committee had set up a Budget Consultation Group in December 2009 to oversee the consultation process for 2010/2011 budget. The group had met two times during January 2010, during which details of the officer/portfolio budget challenge sessions held in the run up to the consultation process had been discussed. In addition, dates for the budget cycle of Scrutiny meetings had been agreed. The group had been given an opportunity to question some key officers within the Council to seek clarity on critical aspects of the budget, and as a result, there were no outstanding matters that required action by the Committee.

The group had concluded that it needed to reconvene in April to make early preparations for the 2011/2012 budget consultation process to ensure that a clear timetable existed for all internal stakeholders to ensure that Overview and Scrutiny Members played an active part in the budget formulation and consultation processes during 2010/2011.

In view of the limited time between the series of budget Scrutiny meetings to be held over the 11 and 12 February and the Cabinet meeting on 16 February, the Chairman sought authority to allow Councillor Thwaite to formally respond to the consultation after conferring with the Scrutiny Chairs group at its meeting prior to Cabinet on the 16 February with a composite response encompassing the comments of all five Committees.

Members raised strong concerns that there would be a decrease in net budgets relating to Planning Development Management and Strategic Highways and Transformation, particularly with regard to transport provisions in rural areas. 

RESOLVED 

1. That the budget consultation 2010/2011 be noted, and the Chairman be authorised to formally respond to the consultation after conferring with the Scrutiny Chairs group and present, to Cabinet on the 16 February 2010, a composite response encompassing the comments of all five Committees.

2. That Cabinet be informed that while the Committee supports the budget proposals it has serious concerns regarding the decrease in net budgets relating to Planning Development Management and Strategic Highways particularly with regard to transport in rural areas.

To consider a report of the Head of Policy and Performance.

The Committee considered a report of the Head of Policy and Performance containing an overview of the 2009-2010 quarter 3 performance, which summarised performance against all National Indicators and key corporate performance measures.

The report detailed the 19 National Indicators for the Committees area of Responsibility, 58% were green, 11% were amber and 32% red.

Fourth Quarter performance data would be produced after 31 March for consideration and review by Scrutiny committees. An annual report summarising the Council’s achievements would be brought to Scrutiny before publication in June 2010.

In view of the increasing importance of the performance monitoring information being presented to Committees, Members agreed that a dedicated training would be beneficial to the Committee.

RESOLVED

1. That the report be noted.

2. That the arrangements for a training session for all Members on performance monitoring be noted.