Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Sarris and Councillor Herbert. Councillor Abbott was present as the alternate.

No interests were declared

There were no public questions

The purpose of the discussion was to ask questions of the Liberal Democrat Members on the Scrutiny Committee on their group’s budget amendment.

The Labour Members of the Committee asked the following questions.  The answers provided by Liberal Democrat Members immediately follow.

     i.        B0008. Enhancement to Rough Sleeping Strategy funded from increased empty homes tax. What is the basis for the calculations?

It was based on the current profile of receipts received from empty homes and Cambridge City Councils share of the government proposed increase to Council Tax Empty Homes Premium.

    ii.        S0004. Why are you proposing to delete the budget for Public Information Films?

It was hard to justify prioritising this expenditure against other proposals.

   iii.        Why are you proposing a cut in paid time for staff to undertake union duties?

The saving is based on the budget plan and would restore the pre 2015 position.

  iv.        Would a reduction to paid union time represent a real saving as union representative are widely used at times of change to support the workforce?

The proposed cut is not based on the value of the contribution but rather on the size of their client group. The workforce has reduced in recent years. The service was adequately delivered, with less paid union provision, before 2015.

     v.            How would the risks (of the proposed investment of houses within the Cambridge City Housing Company), identified on p 24 of the report be mitigated?

The risks are similar to those already existing within the housing company. Additionally, the proposed capital structure is more conservative.