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Venue: Committee Room 1 & 2, The Guildhall, Market Square, Cambridge, CB2 3QJ. View directions
Contact: Glenn Burgess Committee Manager
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Apologies Minutes: None |
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Declarations of Interest Minutes:
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Minutes: The minutes of the meeting held on 17 September 2012 were approved and signed as a correct record. |
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The Budget Setting Report (BSR) was circulated as part of the Strategy
and Resources Scrutiny Committee agenda (http://www.cambridge.gov.uk/democracy/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=159&MId=617&Ver=4)
and Members are advised to bring their copies to this meeting. The BSR document can be accessed via the following link, and limited
hard copies will be available at the meeting: (http://www.cambridge.gov.uk/democracy/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=159&MId=617&Ver=4) The BSR: Revenue and Capital Budgets - 2012/13
(Revised), 2013/14 (Budgets) and 2014/15 (Forecast) Report can be accessed via
the following link: (http://www.cambridge.gov.uk/democracy/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=159&MId=617&Ver=4) As a result of this meeting, an updated report will be
published and sent to the Executive.
Minutes: The Chief Executive tabled a letter received from Ernst and Young on 24 January 2013 setting out the findings from the Phase 1 review of the Council’s financial re-forecast (see attached at appendix 1). It was noted that the findings of the full review, when complete, would be reported back to a special meeting of the Civic Affairs Committee. At the request of the Executive it was also agreed that Ernst and Young would be invited to attend this meeting.
In response to member’s questions the Chief Executive and the Director of Resources confirmed the following: i. Apologised that the letter had only been tabled at the start of the meeting, but reiterated that it had only been received that day. Whilst members had not had an opportunity to fully digest the information, it was felt important that it be shared as soon as possible. ii. Ernst and Young had confirmed the variance of £2.26m was a reasonable basis to set the Council’s budget. iii. The review had been undertaken on version 6 of the financial model, and as with any dynamic financial process, the Council had progressed with the BSR and was now on version 15. iv. Acknowledged members concerns about the underlying issues regarding financial processes, but confirmed that additional checks and balances involving senior officers had been undertaken to ensure the accuracy of the amended BSR. Confirmed that more detailed work had also been undertaken with Heads of Services and Executive Councillors. Councillor Herbert highlighted the importance of all 42 Councillors having a firm understanding of the financial position prior to being asked to set the Council’s budget on 21 February 2013. At the request of the Executive the Chief Executive agreed
to arrange an all member briefing prior to the Council meeting on 21 February 2013. The Executive received a
tabled report from the Director of Resources regarding the Executive amendment
to the Budget Setting Report (BSR) February 2013. The Director of Resources outlined the role of the
meeting within the wider budget-setting context and summarised the content of
the report. It was noted that the amendment consolidated changes
that were presented to individual Scrutiny Committees in the January 2013
cycle, other material changes relating to the BSR and recommendations made in
the report to the Strategy and Resources Scrutiny Committee on 21 January 2013.
The Director of Resources confirmed that all of the
changes would be consolidated into a final version of the BSR and this would be
taken to Council on the 21 February 2013 for approval. In response to questions from the Executive the
Director of Resources confirmed the following:
i.
Whilst the Section 25
Report is a report of the Chief Financial Officer, it is his view that it
should be shared at the earliest opportunity with the Executive. The Executive
are not required to approve the content of the report, but simply agree that it
be included as part of the BSR.
ii.
The Section 25 report will be
approved at the Strategy and Resources Scrutiny Committee on 15 February 2013.
Agenda paperwork would be sent out 5 clear working days before the meeting. iii.
Acknowledged that a variety
of independent amendments can be confusing, but confirmed that the final
version of the BSR would be brought to Council for approval on the 21 February
2013. The Executive and officers received questions from the
representative of the Independent and Conservative Group.
i.
Councillor Hipkin asked for
confirmation that the projections for car park fees were realistic. The
Executive Councillor for Planning and Climate Change responded that, whilst the
shortfall of 3% of turnover was disappointing, it was better than the majority
of private companies. It was noted that external consultants had worked up the
future projections and the Executive were confident that they were achievable.
ii.
Councillor Hipkin noted
that the planning fee income was less than anticipated and asked for
clarification of the reasons for this. The Executive Councillor for Planning
and Climate Change responded that the City Council could only base their
assumptions on projected timescales supplied by developers. It was therefore
unfortunate when the developer’s timescales slipped. iii.
Councillor Hipkin asked if
the Executive had fully taken into account the current high-risk environment
when formulating the BSR. The Director of Resources responded that the minimum
level of reserves had been specifically looked at this year in response to the
changing level of risk. iv.
Councillor Hipkin enquired
into the likelihood that Council Tax Support would require more money than
anticipated. The Director of Resources responded that this had been looked at
in detail at the special meeting of the Strategy and Resources Scrutiny Committee
on 20 December 2012. Any in year changes could put pressure on the scheme, due
to government funding being fixed for a year, but allowance for this had been
built into the modeling. v.
Councilor Hipkin noted that
claw back in relation to the Municipal Mutual Insurance (MMI) was worrying and
asked for further information. The Director of Resources responded that the
City Council were working on professional advice, but would continue to monitor
the situation. vi.
Councillor Hipkin commented
that the downgrading of Northstowe, and the resulting affect on S106
contributions, was worrying. The Director of Environment responded that the
data on S106 projections had never been better and it was important that the
City Council remain proactive in the way that it managed this risk. The Executive and officers received questions from the
representative of the Labour Group:
i.
Councillor Herbert asked if
the reduced level of reserves was adequate, particularly given risk factors
such as the 2015 elections and changes to government funding. The Leader
responded that the target level for reserves had not changed and remained at
£5m. The minimum level of reserves had been moved in a more cautious direction
and been increased. ii. Councillor Herbert asked for more clarity on the policy for using the New Homes Bonus, and asked if it was simply a draw down fund for new initiatives. The Leader responded that the City Council’s approach was clearly set out on page 35 of the BSR. iii. Councillor Herbert asked for further detail on the reduction in the Project Facilitation Fund (PFF). The Leader responded that the PFF is subject to affordability and therefore flexes accordingly. It was noted that it would be reduced to £300k for the foreseeable future. iv. Councillor Herbert asked for further detail on confirmed service reviews. The Leader responded that long-term service reviews were being undertaken in the following areas; income maximisation, shared services and the Councils use of its property portfolio. It was noted that savings this round had been identified as a result of the resource optimisation service review. v. Councillor Herbert asked for further detail on identified savings targets. The Leader responded that instead of looking at departmental saving targets and making cuts across the board, it was important to specifically identify areas where it was thought savings could be delivered. vi. Councillor Herbert reiterated the importance of an all member briefing on the updated financial position prior to Councillors being asked to agree a budget on 21 February 2013. The Leader responded that the Chief Executive had already committed to an all member briefing, and that he would be working with her to help facilitate this. vii. Councillor Herbert highlighted the importance of opposition group Councillors having an input into any review of the financial situation. The Leader responded that a report would be brought to the Civic Affair Committee and agreed that opposition group Councillors would have an input into that process. In response to further questions from members the Chief Executive confirmed the following: i. A report would be brought to the Civic Affairs Committee to highlight the full findings of Ernst and Young regarding the financial re-forecasting review. ii. Because input was needed from Ernst and Young it was not possible at this stage to confirm a date for the Civic Affairs Committee. However a commitment was made to ensure that all Councillors would be briefed prior to being asked to set the Council’s budget on 21 February 2013. iii. Phase 1 of the work undertaken by Ernst and Young suggested that if a proper reconciliation taken place in June 2012 the error may have been avoided. But at this stage it had not been determined exactly how the error occurred. The Executive resolved unanimously (7 votes to 0) to recommend Council: Budget
Setting Report February 2013 In
respect of the recommendation of the Executive on 24 January 2013, to include
the final Appendix T – Section 25 Report (2013/14 Budget Process) – Robustness
of Estimates and Adequacy of Reserves, within the body of Budget Setting Report
February 2013, for approval by Council on 24 February 2013. Capital
& Revenue Projects Plan: [section 5, page 50 of BSR] To amend
original recommendation i) “to approve project appraisals that have been
referred by Executive Councillors and to agree inclusion in the Capital &
Revenue Projects Plan of any new items and to note any additional funding for
revised schemes approved by Executive Councillors” to include the following
specific items for approval: (i) Project appraisals that have been referred by
Executive Councillors: i. Arts
Sport & Public Places 1. Corn
Exchange Improvements – Exterior & Entrance Lobby (as separate agenda item
13) 2. Corn
Exchange - Improvements to heating management system as separate agenda item
14) ii.
Environmental & Waste Services 1. Bins
for New Developments 2. In Cab
Technology – Full Roll Out 3.
Vehicle Replacement Programme 2013/14 (ii) The removal from the Revenue & Projects
Capital Plan of the following capital schemes or programmes: i. Arts,
Sport & Public Places 1. SC499
– Outdoor Fitness Equipment 2. SC514
– Petersfield Play Area Equipment ii.
Planning & Climate Change 1. PR019
– Car Parks Infrastructure & Equipment Replacement Programme (iii) To set up eight new capital programmes and
associated remits within the following portfolios: i. Arts,
Sport & Public Places 1.
Replacement of Parks & Open Space Litter & Waste Bins 2.
City-wide Developer Contribution Funds 3. Area
Committee (East) Developer Contribution Funds 4. Area
Committee (North) Developer Contribution Funds 5. Area
Committee (South) Developer Contribution 6. Area
Committee (West/Central) Developer Contribution Funds ii. Environmental & Waste Services 1. Purchase of Bins for New Developments 2. Litter Bin Replacement Programme (iv) To
delete the following schemes from the Hold List within the Arts Sport &
Public Places portfolio, being items that are now subsumed within the new Area
Committee Programmes above: i. Logan’s Meadow Local Nature Reserve extension ii. Paradise Local Nature Reserve improvements (v) To amend
the budgets in respect of the following projects within the Capital &
Revenue Projects Plan: i. Community Development & Health portfolio 1. Capital bid C3176 - Clay Farm Community Centre - Phase 2 (Construction) from £6,750,000 to £7,711,000 to reflect the full
estimated costs, the increase to be funded from external sources ii. Planning & Climate Change portfolio 1. existing scheme SC557 – Grand Arcade Annex Car Park – Drainage
Gullies from £26,000 to £52,000 to reflect a known increase of costs, the
increase to funded from Repairs & Renewals funds Appendix Updates To replace the existing table for Council Tax Earmarked for Growth in
Appendix B (page 83 of the BSR) with the following version: Council Tax Earmarked for Growth |