Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest made at this meeting.

There were no questions from members of the public or the press.

There were no items to report.

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 5^th September, 2013 were deferred for consideration at the next meeting.

The following item is likely to be considered in the absence of the press and public as being exempt under Paragraph 3  of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended March 2006) (information relating to the financial or business affairs).

Resolved:-  That, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act, 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act (as amended March, 2006) (information relating to financial and business affairs of any particular person).

Stuart Booth, Director of Finance, gave a presentation on the approach to bridging the funding gap for the Budgets for 2014/15 and 2015/16, the timetable involved and the various options being explored.

It was noted that discussions were still taking place which would involve sensitive decisions being made with proposals having to be put to Elected Members for decision shortly.

The presentation highlighted information relating to:-

·                Meeting the Budget Challenge – Update.

·                Funding Gap 2014/15 and 2015/16 – Update.

·                Revenue Savings Proposals.

·                Meeting the Financial Challenge.

·                Indicative Funding Gaps for 2014/15 and 2015/16.

·                Summaries of the Savings Proposals as at 19^th November, 2013.

The Strategic Directors were invited to explain each of their savings proposals in detail and the rationale behind each suggestion.

Joyce Thacker, Strategic Director for Children and Young People’s Services, accompanied by Councillor Paul Lakin, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Families Services, reported on the five savings proposals.

The Select Commission asked a number of questions about the impact of these proposals, if they involved reductions in staff and the response to requests for a further review of some of the services.

Tom Cray, Strategic Director for Neighbourhoods and Adult Services, accompanied by Councillor Rose McNeely, Cabinet Member for Safe and Attractive Neighbourhoods, and Councillor John Doyle, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, reported on the various savings proposals from within the Neighbourhoods and Adult Services Directorate.

The Select Commission asked a number of questions about the rationale for the reviews, the impact of personalised budgets, justification for funding, demand, quality and flexibility, involvement of volunteers, staffing cohorts and the need to manage services efficiently.

Karl Battersby, Strategic Director for Environment and Development Services, accompanied by Councillor Amy Rushforth, Cabinet Member for Culture and Tourism, reported on the various savings proposals from within the Environment and Development Services Directorate.

The Select Commission asked a range of questions about the stages to reductions in base budgets, potential loss of income, increased community use of facilities and subsidies.

Stuart Booth, Director of Finance, reported on the various savings proposals from within the Resources Directorate.

The Select Commission again asked a range of questions relating to staff workloads and the impact on service delivery and the ability of some service areas to cover all expected of them.

The Select Commission also requested that as part of the next steps process consideration be given to moving forward with a small sub-group to look at potential savings by Elected Members.

Resolved:-  (1)  That Stuart Booth, Joyce Thacker, Tom Cray and Karl Battersby be thanked for their input.

(2)  That the information as presented be noted.

(3)  That consideration be given to the formation of a small sub-group to look at savings proposals for Elected Members.

Resolved:-  That the next meeting of the Self Regulation Select Commission take place on Thursday, 9^th January, 2014 at 3.30 p.m.