Agenda and minutes

The Committee noted the apologies of Councillors Fitzhenry and McEwing.  The Committee also noted that following receipt of the temporary resignation of Councillors Jordan and Galton from the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee, the Head of Legal and Democratic Services, acting under delegated powers, had appointed Councillors Tucker and Daunt, respectively to replace them for the purposes of this meeting.

To approve and sign as a correct record the Minutes of the meetings held on 15 October 2015 and to deal with any matters arising, attached.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 15 October 2015 be approved and signed as a correct record.

Report of the Head of Legal and Democratic Services detailing items requested for discussion from the current Forward Plan, attached.

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Legal and Democratic Services detailing the item, “General Fund Revenue Budget 2016/17 to 2018/19” and the associated Cabinet report.

RESOLVED

(i)  that the Chief Financial Officer provide the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee with an overview of the proposed savings put forward by officers that had not been included in the Cabinet report; and

(ii)  that, in the context of the financial sustainability of the Council, officers provide the Committee with a summary of the legal and constitutional role of elected members in relation to budget setting at Full Council in February 2016, and the requirements that need to be met to enable the Section 151 Officer to sign off the budget.

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Legal and Democratic Services detailing the item, “Housing Revenue Account Revenue Budget 2016/17 to 2018/19” and the associated Cabinet report.

RESOLVED

(i)  that the Committee be provided with a breakdown of the number of Council owned homes that were estimated to be ‘high value’;

(ii)  that the Cabinet Member target closing the HRA budget through efficiencies rather than by reductions to the capital programme; and

(iii)  that robust and effective procedures be developed to reduce the likelihood of an increase in rent arrears following the introduction of Universal Credit.

Report of the Head of Legal and Democratic Services detailing the actions of the Executive and monitoring progress of the recommendations of the Committee, attached.

The Committee received and noted the report of the Head of Legal and Democratic Services detailing the actions of the Executive and monitoring progress of the recommendations of the Committee.