Agenda and draft minutes

Cllr Jeff Osborn was elected Chairman.

Apologies for absence were received from:

                        Cllr Jane Burton

                        Cllr Chris Humphries

Cllr John Smale

Cllr Carole Soden

Cllr Peter Davis

Cllr Chris Cochrane

Cllr Jose Green

Dr Mike Thomson

Cllr Nick Fogg

Cllr Jonathon Seed

Peter Biggs

Cllr Tom James

The Council welcomes contributions from members of the public.

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 his/her discretion in order to ensure that members of the public have the opportunity to contribute.

Members of the public wishing to ask a question should give written notice (including details of any question) to the officer named above by 5:00 pm on Thursday 3 February 2011.

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 reminded all present that the meeting was an opportunity for all non-executive members to consider and comment upon the draft Cabinet budget recommendations before consideration by Full Council on 22 February 2011. 

A summary of the key points arising from this meeting would also be submitted to Cabinet on 15 February.

Councillors were asked to consider the papers provided but were reminded that the focus of discussion would be the Financial Plan with reference to the Business Plan where relevant.  Councillors would be invited to present questions to the Leader following her introduction of the Budget and its context and also following details of any amendments made subsequent to publication of the papers.

The structure of the meeting would focus on the revised base budgets by directorate and services as outlined from page 65 of the Financial Plan and would be considered department by department commencing with the Department of Children and Education. 

Prior to questioning, the Chairman wished to acknowledge the challenges faced by the Executive in developing the financial plan taking into consideration the pressures of the comprehensive spending review.  Although the late release of the documentation had proved a challenge to scrutiny, the four year approach would allow for easier monitoring over future years.

The Chairman also confirmed that Select Committees had previous involvement in areas of the plan, such as the Library Services Review and that the Resources Select Committee would be requesting a report with details on how the Systems Thinking Review would lead to future savings.

Cllrs Peter Fuller, Roy While, Jon Hubbard, Nigel Carter and John Brady declared an interest in relation to Housing.

The Leader of the Council to introduce the 2011/12 overall draft budget and respond to questions.

The chairman of the joint committeeto invite questions and comments from councillors on the budget proposals, section by section.

The chairman of the joint meeting to summarise the main points, and to close the meeting.

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

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 points made at the Special Meeting of the Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee when determining the 2011/12 Budget and Council Tax as outlined in the Appendix.