Agenda and minutes

Cllr Jeff Osborn was elected Chairman for the meeting.

Apologies for absence were received from:

Cllr Nick Fogg (substitute was Cllr Christopher Newbury)
Cllr Nigel Carter
Cllr Peter Doyle
Cllr Brian Dalton
Phil Matthews (Wiltshire Involvement Network - HASC)
Mr Neil Owen (School Representative – Childrens SC)
Mrs Rosheen Ryan (School Representative – Childrens SC)
Dr Mike Thompson (Co-opted member – Childrens SC)

This meeting is open to members of the public who may ask a question or make a statement. Written notice of questions or statements should be given to the Head of Democratic Services by 12.00 noon on Friday 12 February. Anyone wishing to ask a question or make a statement should contact the officer named above. Speakers are limited to two minutes.

If you would like to make a statement at this meeting on any item on this agenda, please register to do so at least 10 minutes prior to the meeting.  Up to 3 speakers are permitted to speak for up to 3 minutes each on any agenda item.  The Chairman will, however, exercise discretion in order to ensure that members of the public have the opportunity to contribute.

There was no public participation.

A report explaining the background, purpose and proceedings of this meeting is circulated.

A report outlining the proceedings of the meeting was circulated with the Agenda.  The Chairman introduced the report and reminded all present that the purpose of the meeting was to allow non-executive councillors the opportunity to question the Leader and relevant Cabinet Member on the content of the budget prior to it’s submission to Council on Tuesday 23 February 2010.

10.45am:     the Leader of the Council will present the 2010/11 budget recommendation by Cabinet and provide the context and rationale for the proposals.

11.15am      the chairman of the joint committeewill invite councillors to consider and comment on what the leader has said and on the overall budget recommendation.

                     Cabinet members will then be invited to briefly highlight any particular issues associated with their part of the draft budget followed by questions on each department’s budget proposals, as in the order listed below:

11.15am:    Department of Children and Education

11.40am:    Department of Community Services

12.05pm:    Department of Neighbourhood and Planning

12.30pm:    Department of Public Health and Wellbeing

12.55pm:    Department of Resources and Chief Executive

1.20pm:       Any other strategic and operational matters

1.30pm:    the chairman of the joint meeting to summarise the main points, and to close the meeting.

The following documents from the 11 February Cabinet meeting have been circulated and will be relied on as evidence for the debate:

(i)                 Revenue Budget Proposals 2010-11

(ii)               Capital Programme Proposals 2010-11 to 2012-13

(iii)             Fees and Charges

(iv)              Treasury Management Strategy

(v)                Housing Revenue Account Budget Proposals 2010-11

(vi)              Cabinet 2010/11 budget recommendation  - to follow

The papers can be found on the Wiltshire Council website using the following link:

http://cms.wiltshire.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=141&MId=249&Ver=4

The Committee was invited to question the proposed budget in detail under each of the Departmental categories as follow:

Overall Budget

Department of Children and Education

Department of Community Services

Department of Neighbourhood and Planning

Department of Public Health and Wellbeing

Department of Resources and Chief Executive

Any other strategic and operational matters

A report outlining the main issues raised during discussion is attached as an appendix.

Resolved:

To recommend that the Council take into account the main issues raised at the special meeting of the Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee when determining  the 2010/11 Budget and Council Tax.