Agenda and draft minutes

Cllr Nigel Carter was elected Chairman for the meeting.

Apologies were received from:

Cllr Carole Soden

Cllr Christine Crisp

Cllr Tom James

Cllr David Jenkins

Cllr Chris Humphries (substitute Cllr Julian Johnson)

Cllr Peter Hutton

Cllr Desna Allen

Cllr Nick Fogg (substitute Cllr Christopher Newbury)

Phil Matthew (WIN)

Linda Griffiths (WSUN)

Dorothy Roberts (WSUN)

The Council welcomes contributions from members of the public.

Statements

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.  Please contact the officer named above for any further clarification.

Questions

To receive any questions from members of the public or members of the Council received in accordance with the constitution. Those wishing to ask questions are required to give notice of any such questions in writing to the officer named above no later than 5pm on Thursday 2 February 2012.  Please contact the officer named on the first page of this agenda for further advice.  Questions may be asked without notice if the Chairman decides that the matter is urgent.

Details of any questions received will be circulated to Committee members prior to the meeting and made available at the meeting and on the Council’s website.

There was no public participation.

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

The Chairman drew the members’ attention to the report attached to the agenda which outlined the background, purpose and proceedings of the meeting.

A report is attached from the Director of Finance on the Council’s Business and Financial Plan for 2012/13.  The report includes a link to Appendix 1 (draft Financial Plan 2012/13).

Hard copies of the report and Financial Plan will be circulated to all members who are asked to retain their copies which will be required for both Cabinet on 15 February and Full Council on 28 February respectively.

The debate will follow the structure of the Financial Plan.  The Director of Finance will explain how the budget was compiled and respond to questions on technical aspects of the budget report and budget setting process.

The Leader of the Council will introduce the overall draft budget for 2012/13 and respond to questions on the context and rationale

The Director of Finance will provide an update on progress against the Business Plan and the context of the Financial Plan update

The Chairman of the joint meeting will invite questions and comments on the Financial Plan.  This will be done section by section:

·         2012/13 plans to reprioritise our spending (savings)

·         Investment – Revenue & Capital

·         Fees and Charges

·         Schools

·         Housing Revenue Account

·         Capital Programme

The Director of Finance was in attendance to present a report on the Council’s Business and Financial Plan for 2012/13 which included, as an appendix the draft Financial Plan 2012/13.

In addressing the members, the Director of Finance explained the technical aspects of the budget report, Financial Plan and the budget-setting process.

The Leader of the Council then provided a brief explanation of the context and rationale for the Executive’s budget proposals.

Upon receiving the presentations the Chairman invited questions from members.  Details of the main issues raised can be found within the attached Appendix.

Resolved:

To recommend that Council take into account the main points made by the special joint meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committees as outlined within the Appendix when determining the 2012/13 budget.