Agenda item

To consider a report of the Borough Solicitor.

The Committee considered a report of the Borough Solicitor relating to the current work programme.

The Committee had reviewed its work programme at meetings throughout the year and had refined the list of items into an active’ and ‘reserve’ list. From the active list, the Committee had set up a Task and Finish Group to review the role and funding of the Voluntary Sector, and more recently, a Budget Consultation Group, involving Members from all 5 Overview and Scrutiny Committees, to oversee the budget Consultation preparations.

At its meeting held on the 3 February 2010, the Voluntary Sector task group had taken a critical look at the review and scope, based upon the fact that that the total funding position across all Council directorates for 2010/2011, was still not clear. Work was consequently underway across all corporate areas to identify future funding commitments and budgetary provision. Unfortunately, it had still not been possible to unravel all existing commitments from the demised authorities which in turn meant that a clear picture had not yet been established about future commitments and budget requirements.

Although there was general acceptance that a comprehensive review was required, the task group considered that this would be best achieved through a Corporate Officer working group.

Members consequently recommended that this Committee should disband the Task and Finish group and allow the review to take place through a Corporate Officer working group.

The Budget Consultation group had met twice during January 2010. At its first meeting, the group agreed its terms of reference and sought additional information from Finance officers on the ‘Challenge sessions’ that had been held between the portfolio holder and service heads.

At its second meeting on 29 January 2010, members of the group were able to question representatives from Service departments on a number of issues and were provided with an outline of the main points dealt with at the challenge sessions. The group was then able to recommend the budget cycle of Overview and Scrutiny meetings which took place over 11 and 12 February 2010

The group reiterated its commitment to continuing the good work already started by recommending that preparations for the 2011/2012 Budget Consultation process should begin in April of this year, with the aim of having in place a robust timetable early in the new civic year to involve Overview and & Scrutiny committees in budget setting at the very start of the process and to ensure a continuing involvement throughout the new financial year.

The Committee had also identified at the beginning of the current municipal year,as a potential work programme item, the subject of asset management. At the present time, this matter sat in the reserve list. The Chairman had recommended that subject to prioritisation, this matter be brought into the active list for 2010/2011 for the committee to commission a study into the portfolio of assets held by the Council with a view to making recommendations as to their potential  future retention/and or disposal.

The Chairman also referred to a potential item regarding a review of the governance arrangements in respect of Highways and Transportation issues, but informed the Committee that following a decision by Cabinet on 16 February 2010 that this matter would no longer be considered as part of the current work programme.

RESOLVED –

(a)       That the Work Programme, be noted

(b)       That the Voluntary Sector Task Group be disbanded pending an interim progress report from the Head of Policy and Performance.

(c)        That the completion by the Budget Consultation group of its initial deliberations in relation to the 2010/11budget consultation be noted and the Committee

re-convene the group with new membership to oversee the budget setting and consultation processes from 2011/12 and beyond

(d)       That the Borough Treasurer be requested to provide an awareness session at a future meeting of the Committee to cover :

·        The Asset register

·        The Asset challenge process

·        The devolution Programme