Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillor Debbie Taylor.

There were no declarations of interest.

There were no announcements from the Leader.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Executive Committee held on 2^nd September 2013.

(Minutes to follow)

RESOLVED that

the minutes of the meeting of the Executive Committee held on 2^nd September 2013 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

For Members to note the Council’s overall financial outturn for the 2012/13 financial year.

(Report attached)

The report detailing the Council’s budgetary position at the end of the 2012/13 financial year was received by the Committee.

Officers reported that £74K had been used from balances leaving just over £1M remaining. Of the projected savings of £654K a considerable proportion had been made although the money received through the acquisition of the lease of Threadneedle House had contributed to the overall position.

A series of questions on specific points within the outturn report were raised by Members and Officers undertook to provide answers to these following the meeting.

RESOLVED that

the report be noted.

Tom consider the options for the future of 54 South Street, the previous REDI Centre.

(Report attached)

The Committee considered a report which detailed the options available to the Council for 54 South Street, the former REDI Centre building.

Officers reported that the Council had not received any significant levels of interest in the building to date and there had been no approaches to register the building as an Asset of Community Value. Disposal was considered the most appropriate course of action. The former Youth House was adjacent to the former REDI Centre building but there was considered to be little advantage to be gained from marketing the two properties jointly.

The length of time it had taken for the property to be declared surplus and disposed of was discussed. In part this was put down to the desire to see this and other properties considered as a wider review of the Council’s property holdings. However, given that there was a cost associated with the building remaining empty Members were keen that disposal now be pursued. There was a desire to see the building taken on by a community group who might use the property as a community asset. The recent failure to achieve a similar outcome for the former Youth House was a source of disappointment to some Members. The Committee were also very much aware of the context within which this decision was being taken, with a significant strain on public finances.

RECOMMENDED that

1)        the property be marketed for disposal; and

2)        the Head of Finance and Resources agree the final details of any sale, following the receipt of any bids/expressions of interest, following consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Corporate Management.

To consider the Council’s financial position for the period April to June 2013 (Quarter 1 – 2013/14).

(Report attached)

Officers reported on the financial performance of the authority during the first quarter of the current financial year. The Committee was informed that of the £550K savings required for the year, £107K had been made thus far.

There was considerable discussion as to the implications of holding a number of vacant posts and the processes used by officers to determine whether the vacant posts were considered business critical. Members were reassured that there were measures in place by which such determinations could be made and that Trades Unions were amongst those involved in the dialogue over vacant posts. It was further explained that the authority had for some considerable time had incorporated into each year’s budget revenue savings to be achieved through vacancy management.

REOLVED that

1)        the current financial position on Revenue be noted, as detailed in the report; and

RECOMMENDED that

2)        £48K of currently available S106 funds be included in the 2013/4 capital programme to fund the improvements to the play area at Glover Street.

To consider the latest Customer Services Quarterly Monitoring Report for Quarter 1, 2013/14.

(Report attached)

The Committee received the latest quarterly Customer Services monitoring report. It was noted that the trends represented with regard to complaints and compliments were broadly in line with what had been experienced the previous year.

Member were content that the numbers of compliments exceeded the numbers of complaints and suggested that diagrams in future reports be rendered in such a manner that they might be more easily understood when printed in black and white.

RESOLVED that

the contents of the report be noted.

To receive the minutes of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 13^th August 2013.

There are no recommendations to consider.

(Minutes attached)

The Committee received and considered the minutes of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 13^th August 2013.

RESOLVED that

the minutes of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 13^th August 2013 be received and noted.

There were no minutes or referrals under this item.

The latest update on the activity of the Council’s Advisory Panels and similar bodies was considered by the Committee.

RESOLVED that

the report be noted.

The latest version of the Committee’s Action Monitoring report was received by the Committee.

RESOLVED that

the Action Monitoring report be noted.