CABINET
MINUTES of a meeting held on 7th
February, 2007.
Present: Councillor Ms. M.E. Alexander
(Chairman); Councillors R.F. Curtis, C.P. Franks, G. John, N.
Moore, Mrs. M. Randall, Mrs. M.R. Wilkinson and C.J. Williams.
Also present: Councillors E. Hacker and N.
Hodges.
C2882
COUNCILLOR JOHN READMAN -
The Chairman announced, with sadness, the
sudden death of Councillor John Readman. Members paid tribute
to his memory and his service to the Council and the people of the
Vale of Glamorgan. Members stood in silence as a mark of
respect.
C2883
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE -
Apologies for absence were received from
Councillors S.C. Egan and N.J. Gibbs.
C2884
MINUTES -
RESOLVED - T H A T the minutes of the meeting
held on 31st January, 2007 be approved as a correct
record, subject to it being noted that Minute no. C2880, resolution
4, should read “a grant of £5,000” and not £50,000.
C2885
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST -
|
Councillor C.P. Franks
|
Agenda Item No. 15 - Local Government Pension
Scheme - he was a member of a Local Authority Pension Fund.
|
|
Councillor N. Moore
|
Agenda Item No. 15 - Local Government Pension
Scheme - he was a beneficiary of a Local Authority Pension
Fund.
Agenda Item No. 25 - he was a member of a club
applying for local tax relief.
|
C2886
A REVIEW TO EVALUATE HOW THE COUNCIL CONTRIBUTES TO TACKLING AND
PREVENTING DOMESTIC ABUSE IN THE VALE OF GLAMORGAN (REF)
-
The Scrutiny Review had been undertaken as
part of the Committee’s 2006/2007 work programme. The Review
entailed establishing the roles and responsibilities of the Council
and key agencies in relation to domestic abuse as well as
identifying gaps in service provision and areas of good
practice. A copy of the final report of the Review was
attached at Appendix 1 and the Scrutiny Committee (Community
Wellbeing and Safety) had on 15th January, 2007
considered the 13 recommendations detailed in the report.
At the meeting on 15th January, the
Committee was also advised that Barry Court would not be closing,
there had been a change to the Chairmanship on the Domestic Abuse
Forum and Committee also reported on the use of the Domestic Abuse
Unit at Barry Island. The Scrutiny Committee made the
following recommendations as a result of the new information:
(1) T
H A T Barry Court be encouraged to apply for specialist Domestic
Violence status and that practitioners ensure that all victims are
aware of the practical assistance they can access via the Witness
Care Scheme.
(2) T
H A T an appropriate representative is sought from the Local Health
Board to attend the Domestic Abuse Forum Steering Group to further
promote joined up working at a strategic level.
(3) T
H A T a review be carried out on the membership of the Domestic
Abuse Forum to ensure that all services, both statutory and
voluntary, working with victims, perpetrators and children of
domestic abuse are represented. (Council departments should
not be over represented on the Forum.)
(4) T
H A T appropriate lines of communication and reporting links are
established between the Domestic Abuse Forum and the Community
Safety Partnership.
(5) T
H A T a Local Domestic Abuse Strategy and supporting action plan be
prepared and implemented and that it is aligned to the Crime and
Disorder Reduction Strategy, the annual Local Safeguarding Children
Board (LSCB) and the Area Adult Protection Committee (AAPC)
Business Plans. The local strategy needs to be realistic and
focused on agreed priorities for the Vale of Glamorgan.
(6) T
H A T a set of outcome based performance indicators are developed
to measure progress in the delivery of the agreed action
plan. These should be regularly reported to the Health Social
Care and Well-being Partnership Community Safety Partnership, the
LSCB and the AAPC and include the monitoring of survivor
feedback.
(7) T
H A T Housing Services provide training on housing policy and the
role of agencies to the Domestic Abuse Forum.
(8) T
H A T the Domestic Abuse Co-ordinator explores all possible funding
opportunities and initiatives to identify the feasibility of
developing a dedicated counselling and support service for children
who have suffered or witnessed domestic abuse.
(9) T
H A T the Domestic Abuse Forum updates and republishes the Domestic
Abuse information Directory booklet originally published by the
Community Safety Partnership.
(10) T H A T
the recently formed steering group and the domestic abuse
co-ordinator consider treating the LSCB action plans arising from
serious case reviews as an urgent priority.
(11) T H A T a
feasibility study be conducted to evaluate appropriate venues in
the Vale for a multi – agency Domestic Abuse Unit.
(12) T H A T
awareness be raised through publications on the Internet on the
problems and issues associated with Domestic Abuse and the support
services available. The promotion should make it clear that
domestic abuse is not acceptable behaviour.
(13) T H A T a
Cabinet Member be identified as a Champion for tackling and
preventing domestic abuse.
(14) T H A T a
report in respect of the Domestic Abuse Unit at Barry Island be
presented to the Scrutiny Committee in respect of the use of the
building.
(15) T H A T the
review itself be amended where necessary to reflect the appointment
of the new Domestic Abuse Co-ordinator and the recent change to the
Chairmanship of the Domestic Abuse Forum.
(16) T H AT
a protocol be considered for adoption for incorporation into a
Service Level Agreement with Women’s Aid for the provision of time
limited support for women and their children to enable
independence.
(17) T H A T the
above recommendations be referred to Cabinet for approval /
consideration.
(18) T H A T where
appropriate progress on the above be referred back to the Scrutiny
Committee within six months.
Cabinet, having considered the Scrutiny Review
and the above recommendations of the Scrutiny Committee of
15th January, 2007,
RESOLVED -
(1) T H A
T recommendations 1 - 15 above be accepted with the additions that
in respect of (11) and (14), further reports be also presented to
the Cabinet.
(2) T H A
T, in respect of recommendation 13, the Cabinet Member for Housing
and Community Safety be identified as the Champion for tackling and
preventing domestic abuse.
(3) T H A
T recommendation 16 above be deferred for consideration pending the
review of Service Level Agreements generally within Social
Services.
C2887
ATTENDANCE AT CONFERENCES, SEMINARS ETC (CX) (SCRUTINY - CORPORATE
RESOURCES) -
This was a matter for Executive decision.
RESOLVED -
(1) T H A
T the attendance of the following Members, Directors, Heads and
Chief Officers at conferences, seminars etc. listed below be noted,
subject to the name of a new delegate to the South Wales Adult
Protection Conference being agreed by the Chief Executive in
consultation with the Leader, in view of the recent sad news of the
death of Councillor John Readman:
|
Integrated Transport Conference
|
9th November, 2006
|
Councillor M.R. Wilson
|
|
T.Gov Expo Autumn -
E-Government Issues
|
14th November, 2006
|
Mrs. Sian Davies
|
|
APSE Performance Networks Working Seminar
|
14th & 15th
December, 2006
|
Councillor A.M. Ernest and Mr. S. Morris
|
|
CSS Wales/WAG/CECA Annual Meeting
|
18th & 19th January,
2006
|
Mr. K. Jones
|
|
Climate Change - Is Technology the Answer?
|
25th January, 2007
|
Councillor Mrs. C.V.L. Clay and Dr. C. Choo
Yin
|
|
Strand Election Management System (SEMS)
Training
|
11th - 14th February,
2007
|
Mrs. A. Bernard and Miss H. Ryan
|
|
South Wales Adult Protection
|
21st March, 2007
|
Councillor A.J. Readman.
|
(2) T H A
T future reports to Cabinet include the costings for attendance at
such events and that consideration be given to the proforma being
amended to include details of a mechanism whereby attendees can
provide feedback.
Reasons for decisions
(1)&(2) To keep Members
informed.
C2888
PUBLIC OPINION SURVEY 2006 - RESULTS (CX) (SCRUTINY - CORPORATE
RESOURCES) -
The purpose of the report was to inform
Members of the results of the public opinion survey 2006. The
survey represented the third large scale public opinion survey
which the Council had conducted, the first being undertaken in
2003, the second in 2005 and to date, 2006. The survey had
been designed to gain an insight into public opinion on a range of
Council services as well as the public’s general impression of the
Council and the way in which it operated. A summary of the
results were attached at Appendix 1 to the report, although it was
noteworthy that overall the satisfaction levels for the service
provided by the Vale of Glamorgan Council had increased from 74% to
86%, there had also been an increase in the number of people who
felt able to influence decisions affecting their local area from
34% to 47%. The number of those proud to live in the Vale had
stayed at the very high level of 87%.
This was a matter for Executive decision.
RESOLVED -
(1) T H A
T the results of the 2006 Public Opinion Survey be noted.
(2) T H A
T the results inform the 2007/08 Service Plans for the relevant
Directorates.
(3) T H A
T consideration be given to identifying ways in which the age range
of participants can be more representative.
Reasons for decisions
(1)
To recognise public perception of the Council and its services.
(2)&(3) To
ensure that public perceptions are considered when services are
planned.
C2889
MAKING THE CONNECTIONS - DELIVERING BEYOND BOUNDARIES - WAG
RESPONSE TO THE BEECHAM REPORT (CX) (SCRUTINY - CORPORATE
RESOURCES) -
Cabinet was advised of the Welsh Assembly
Government’s response to the Beecham report and attention was drawn
to a number of issues that had arisen.
Making the Connections - Delivering Beyond
Boundaries was WAG’s response to the Review of the Local Service
Delivery chaired by Sir Jeremy Beecham which had reported in July
2006. The Delivering Beyond Boundaries document was attached
at Appendix A to the report. The WAG report provided a strong
endorsement of the Beecham recommendations and identified 5 key
areas for action:
·
putting citizens first
·
working together to deliver - locally
·
working together - regionally and nationally
·
world class workforce
·
better value for the Welsh pound.
The report outlined that the agenda that the
report represented for local government generally would be far
reaching and demanding.
This was a matter for Executive decision.
RESOLVED -
(1) T H A
T the report Delivering Beyond Boundaries and the issues arising be
noted.
(2) T H A
T a Member seminar be arranged to discuss the issues.
Reasons for recommendations
(1) To
keep Cabinet apprised of developments in the Making the Connections
agenda.
(2) To
gain Member input to the Council’s next steps.
C2890
FLYING START (DCS) (SCRUTINY - COMMUNITY WELLBEING AND SAFETY)
-
The report provided Members with an update on
the developments relating to the employment implications for Sure
Start employees as a result of the Flying Start initiative.
Flying Start was a Welsh Assembly Government initiative to improve
the life chances of children by targeting additional services at 0
- 4 year olds living in the most deprived areas. Cabinet was
advised that the Three Communities Strategic Executive Group had
liaised with the Vale of Glamorgan Human Resources Section to
develop a process for change on the introduction of the Flying
Start. Due to the fact that existing Sure Start staff were
employed by external agencies a meeting had been arranged with the
Human Resources sections of the agencies and the Vale Council’s
Human Resources Department from 6th February to ensure a
consistent approach. New structures were to be formulated to
meet Flying Start requirements and it was proposed that within the
Council a matching process would be undertaken to see if there
could be an 80% match between the existing and new job descriptions
and that the posts be within one scale in line with the Vale of
Glamorgan’s corporate policy. Should there be a match the
post holder would be interviewed to ascertain any training
requirements which would assist the transfer. However, if
there was no match then the posts would be ringfenced or would be
advertised to existing displaced staff.
This was a matter for Executive decision.
RESOLVED - T H A T the process as outlined in
the report for addressing the employment implications resulting
from the Flying Start initiative be approved.
Reason for decision
To apprise Cabinet Members of implementations
of the Flying Start initiative.
C2891
BUDGET FOR DISABLED FACILITIES GRANT (DCS) (SCRUTINY - COMMUNITY
WELLBEING AND SAFETY) -
Cabinet approval was sought to fund the excess
demand on Mandatory Disabled Facilities grants from a projected
underspend on grants in the Penarth Central Renewal Area. The
budget that had been allocated by the Council to support Group
Repair Grants in the Penarth Central Renewal Area was
£500,000. The budget from the Welsh Assembly Government for
works in the Penarth Central Renewal Area was £1,500,000. Of
the £500,000 allocated by the Council, £120,000 had been allocated
for Renovation Grants to follow on from Group Repair Schemes.
Due to a low take up of the grants, only 8 Home Repair Assistance
and 7 Renovation Grants had been approved totalling £95,000.
It was therefore likely that expenditure on these grants would not
exceed £50,000 in the current financial year, thus leaving an
underspend of approximately £70,000.
It was also forecast that the Group Repair
Grant Programme of £1,830,000 would be under spent by approximately
£95,000. As a result more money would be going back into the
Fund for Group Repair which would enable the Council to renovate
more houses with the money. Contributions of over £690,000
had been collected in owners contributions over 2002/03 to 2005/06
and in the current financial year over £175,000 had been
collected. The contributions collected to date could be used
to meet the projected overspend on Disabled Facilities Grant.
The following table set out the total funding
for Group Repair within the Council:
|
Funding
|
Budget
|
Forecast spend
|
Balance
|
|
WAG Group repair
|
£1,500,000
|
£1,500,000
|
£0
|
|
Council Group Repair Penarth Central Renewal
Area
|
£330,000
|
£235,000
|
£95,000
|
|
Council Group Repair Cadoxton
|
£6,000
|
£6,000
|
£0
|
|
Council Grants Cadoxton
(1 remaining grant-cancelled)
|
£14,000
|
£0
|
£14,000
|
|
Council Grants Penarth Central Renewal
Area
|
£120,000
|
£50,000
|
£70,000
|
|
Council Environmental schemes
(£24,000 contingency fund not required)
|
£30,000
|
£6,000
|
£24,000
|
|
Owners Contributions
|
£175,000
|
£0
|
£175,000
|
|
Total
|
£2,175,000
|
£1,797,000
|
£378,000
|
It was therefore, recommended, that the
projected underspend and contributions collected in the total sum
of £378,000 from the Penarth Central Renewal Area be used to fund
Disabled Facilities Grants for the remainder of the year.
This was a matter for decision by Full
Council.
RECOMMENDED - T H A T the projected underspend
and contributions from the Penarth Central Renewal Area Budget in
the sum of £378,000 be vired to fund the excess demand on Disabled
Facilities Grants and that the capital programme be amended
accordingly and be referred to Full Council for approval.
Reason for decision
To enable the Council to meet its obligation
to pay approved Disabled Facilities Grant.
C2892
MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS AT WESTERN VALE INTEGRATED CHILDREN’S
CENTRE (DCS) (SCRUTINY - COMMUNITY WELLBEING AND SAFETY)
-
The report advised Cabinet of the changes
concerning the Western Vale Integrated Children’s Centre and also
sought approval for the development of alternative management and
partnership arrangements.
The services that were provided at the Western
Vale Integrated Children’s Centre were provided through Partnership
Agreements with voluntary sector organisations. Due to the
fact that the range of services provided were complex there had
been difficulties around the lines of accountability and clarity
about the roles and responsibilities for WVICC services including
the co-ordination of Outreach and Day Care Nursery were
required. The report explored a number of options as detailed
below:
a. To leave the
post of co-ordinator vacant. (This was not preferred because
of the need for WVICC to continue to be co-ordinated). WVICC
was a Vale Council priority.
b. To recruit a
permanent co-ordinator under the same arrangements as at
present,. This was not preferred, because of the need to
develop clarity about roles and responsibilities, and to ensure
value for money.
c. To develop
service specifications and tender at the earliest
opportunity. This was not preferred because of the lack of up
to date information.
d. To identify an
interim provider who would co-ordinate and administer the work at
WVICC on a temporary basis. An interim provider would be
needed as soon as possible, preferably from 12th
February.
The report highlighted that exploratory
discussions had already been undertaken with NCH Cymru who had
shown a willingness to be considered as the interim provider.
The cost of the interim provision was anticipated to be in excess
of £15,000 but less than £100,000. As a result, Cabinet
approval was sought for exemption from Clause 20.5 of the financial
regulations due to the fact that the ability to obtain three
written quotations would be unachievable.
This was a matter for Executive decision.
RESOLVED -
(1) T H A
T the Chief Executive be authorised to negotiate with an interim
provider an appropriate sum, within existing services, to manage,
co-ordinate and administer the work at WVICC on a temporary
basis.
(2) T H A
T the Director of Finance, ICT and Property be authorised to
approve the waiving of financial regulation 20.5 to enable an
interim provider to be appointed.
(3) T H A
T a further report be submitted to Cabinet by September 2007
concerning a tendering process for services at WVICC.
Reasons for decisions
(1-3) In order that the Vale
of Glamorgan Council can make best use of available resources.
C2893
EXERCISE REFERRAL SCHEME - WELSH
ASSEMBLY GOVERNMENT (DEER) (SCRUTINY - ECONOMY AND ENVIRONMENT)
-
Approval was sought to accept an offer of
funding from the Welsh Assembly Government to continue to operate
an exercise referral scheme in the Vale of Glamorgan. The
Welsh Assembly Government provided clear guidelines in respect of
the offer of funding on how the grant should be spent which would
mean that many of the initiatives of the present Active for Life
Scheme would be lost such as the “Moving More Often” funding, and
“Green Gym” funding etc. The main difference in respect of
the funding was that in year 1 of the funding a randomised control
trial would take place which would mean that 10 people per month
would not be given the opportunity to enjoy the full benefits of
the scheme, they would have to wait a year. However, they
would be given information about being active that did not prevent
them accessing any other initiatives and this would be clearly
explained at the GP surgeries when people were referred.
The Welsh Assembly Government Exercise
Referral Scheme would also be dependent on the local authority
providing 50% match funding to support a co-ordinators post.
Two full time exercise professionals, travel costs, IT, training
and admin paperwork costs would be met in full by the new
grant. The present Active for Life Scheme which was operated
by two co-ordinators using the expertise of approximately 12
Lifestyle staff, had been funded via the Active for Life grant to
take specialist qualifications in the exercise professional
role. All costs associated with the Active for Life scheme
had been covered by a grant by the Big Lottery Fund. The
report outlined that the match funding of £15,000 required to
accept the grant would be found from within existing
budgets.
This was a matter for Executive decision.
RESOLVED -
(1) T H A
T the Director of Environmental and Economic Regeneration in
consultation with the Directors of Finance, ICT and Property and
Legal and Regulatory Services be authorised to accept the offer of
grants from the Welsh Assembly Government for an Exercise Referral
Scheme.
(2) T H A
T the Director of Environmental and Economic Regeneration upon
accepting the grant be authorised to recruit the staff required to
deliver the programme.
(3) T H A
T the new co-ordinators post be ring fenced for competition between
the existing two Active for Life Co-ordinators.
(4) T H A
T a further report on the Scheme once implemented be presented to
Cabinet.
(5) T H A
T the Urgent Decision Procedure as set out in Article 13 of the
Council’s Constitution be implemented in view of the need to
confirm acceptance of the grant offer by the end of February
2007.
(6) T H A
T an exit strategy be prepared and the necessary targets be put in
place for the scheme.
Reasons for decisions
(1) To
continue the good work of the Active for Life initiative and to
take advantage of the Welsh Assembly Government Funding offer.
(2) To
enable quality staff to be recruited.
(3) To
demonstrate the Council’s commitment to being a consistent and fair
employer.
(4) To
report the progress of the scheme to Cabinet.
(5) To
meet required deadlines.
(6) To
ensure effective monitoring takes place.
C2894
SHOP FRONT DESIGN GUIDANCE LEAFLET (DEER) (SCRUTINY - ECONOMY AND
ENVIRONMENT) -
Cabinet approval was sought for the
introduction of a revised shop front design guidance leaflet.
The report stated that the original guide was out of date and
required up grading and a revised draft leaflet was attached to the
report for Members consideration.
The report further outlined that the main
change to the guidance had been the advice in respect of roller
security shutters. The guidance advised that only “open
weave” types of shutter would be acceptable.
This was a matter for Executive decision.
RESOLVED -
(1) T H A
T the content of the revised Shop Front Design Guide leaflet be
approved as a basis for good practice and advice subject to
consultation with the Planning Committee.
(2) T H A
T the leaflet be made available to the public at no charge and on
the Council’s website subject to consultation with the Planning
Committee.
Reasons for decisions
(1&2) In order to assist in the
process of improving the image of the commercial centres in the
Vale of Glamorgan by the provision of design advice.
C2895
VIREMENT OF REVENUE BUDGET WITHIN THE DIRECTORATE OF ENVIRONMENTAL
AND ECONOMIC REGENERATION (DEER) (SCRUTINY - ECONOMY AND
ENVIRONMENT) -
The virement of the budget would clarify the
reporting position of the Directorate in the regular Revenue
Monitoring reports.
In order to manage the revenue budget of the
Directorate it had been prudent to identify a sum of monies to meet
unexpected expenditure and demand within such a diverse
Directorate. The money had provisionally been allocated to
the Visible Services Division as this had been an area that
traditionally faced major challenges in service demands.
However, Cabinet was advised that due to the pressure in the
current financial year from significant increases in utility costs
for leisure centres part of the money had been earmarked to off-set
this cost (£128,000). In accordance with financial
regulations approval was therefore sought from Cabinet for the
virement of the sum from the Visible Services Division to the
Economic Development and Leisure Division.
This was a matter for Executive decision.
RESOLVED - T H A T the virement of £128,000 be
approved and the amended revenue budget changed accordingly.
Reason for decision
That Members are made aware of the project
revenue outturn against budget for 2006/2007.
C2896
LLANTWIT MAJOR LEISURE CENTRE AND COWBRIDGE LEISURE CENTRE:
MANAGERS POSITIONS (DEER) (SCRUTINY - ECONOMY AND ENVIRONMENT)
-
Llantwit Major Leisure Centre and Cowbridge
Leisure Centre had operated without managers for a number of years
with only one assistant manager allocated to each site. The
responsibilities of the two posts had also grown steadily and the
recent changes to licence laws had added further duties. In
comparison with the assistant managers employed at other Council’s
leisure centres it was clear that these two posts were no longer
comparable. The report sought approval to re-designate the
two assistant managers positions at Llantwit Major Leisure Centre
and Cowbridge Leisure Centre as Centre Managers. The report
advised that assistant managers were presently on Point 24 within
the fixed spinal column points and approval was sought (subject to
job evaluation) for the new managers posts to be on point 29.
The proposed increase in salary being approximately £4,000.
It was noted however that this would be below the Barry and Penarth
Leisure Centres managers posts as they were larger sites and
carried more responsibility.
This was a matter for Executive decision.
Cabinet considered this report together with
the urgent tabled reference from the Audit Committee, and
RESOLVED - T H A T the report be deferred
pending the outcome of the review of the Leisure Centres in
February 2007 and that the review be reported to Cabinet.
Reasons for decisions
To apprise Members
C2897
LOCAL GOVERNMENT PENSION SCHEME (DLD & DFICTP) (SCRUTINY -
CORPORATE RESOURCES) -
Cabinet was apprised of the new look benefits
structure for the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) and
provided an opportunity for the Cabinet to respond to the formal
consultation on the draft regulations by 28th February,
2007. A letter from the Department of Communities and Local
Government dated 22nd December, 2006 was attached at
Appendix 1 to the report and it set out the overall objectives of
the scheme, the scope, new regulations and the proposed changes to
the scheme and the transfer arrangements for existing scheme
members. The report highlighted that the main issues in the
scheme were as follows:
“
|
Issue
|
Comment
|
|
· The LGPS will remain as
a defined benefits final salary scheme
|
The retention of a final salary
scheme is welcomed as a key element of the local government
recruitment package
|
|
· The rate of accrual
will change from 80ths to 60ths from 1 April
2008 with the option to take a lump sum of up to 25% of the capital
value of pension rights at a cost of £1 pension per £12 lump
sum.
|
Under the current scheme the lump sum
is fixed at 3 times the pension, so new scheme offers more
flexibility to scheme members. Accrual at 60ths
provides a better package overall, with annual pension 8.3% higher
with a commensurate lump sum than under the existing scheme
|
|
· Normal retirement age
will remain at 65. From 2010 the minimum age for pensions to
be paid will increase to 55 except for ill health (currently
50)
|
Age 55 is a more realistic minimum
retirement age given improved general health and longevity.
|
· Protection arrangements
will apply to existing scheme members. Protections following
the removal of the 85 year rule have been retained.
|
It is reasonable to afford protection
to those who have accrued rights
|
|
· Benefits will be
calculated on a new definition of pensionable pay which allows an
average of 3 consecutive years in the last 10 years of
membership
|
Provides more flexibility for
employees
|
|
· A 3 tier system of ill
health retirement to recognise different levels of incapacity
|
Welcome change. More flexible than in
the current scheme
|
|
· Tiered contribution
rates – 5.5% on salaries up to £12,000 p.a. and 7.5% on the
excess. (Estimated average 6.3%)
|
This should be relatively simple for
employers to operate and provides an incentive for lower paid staff
to join the scheme. Not clear what happens to workers
protected on 5% or part-time workers
|
|
· Authorities will have
the discretion make actuarial reductions in cases of early
retirement on grounds of redundancy or efficiency of the
service.
|
Currently accrued rights are
protected and Councils are required to pay early retirement costs
to the pension fund. Gives more flexibility to the Council.
Council will need to consider as part of policy statement.
|
|
· Death in service tax
free lump sum increase to 3 times salary (was 2 times)
|
Benefit increase in line with other
schemes
|
|
· Survivor benefits to be
extended to include other co-habiting partners – currently applies
to married partners, civil partnerships and children
|
Unclear how co-habiting partners will
be defined and established
|
| |
|
|
|
· Cost sharing mechanism
to be established by 31 March 2009
|
Welcome change for employers as up to
now, with fixed employee contribution rates, cost increases have
swayed to the employer.
|
“
It was noted that the LGPS applied to the
Council as a whole and trade unions had been consulted
nationally. The matter had been considered by the Joint
Consultative Forum on 25th January, 2007 and Members of
the Forum had been invited to submit their views by 2nd
March, 2007.
This was a matter for Executive decision.
RESOLVED -
(1) T H A
T the proposals be noted.
(2) T H A
T the Director of Finance, ICT and Property respond to the
consultation as outlined in paragraph 7 of the report.
Reasons for decisions
(1&2) To apprise Members of the new
arrangements and enable the Council’s view to be forwarded to the
DCLG.
(N.B. Councillors C.P. Franks and N. Moore
left the room whilst this item was being considered).
C2898
COMPLAINT OF MALADMINISTRATION AGAINST THE COUNCIL (MO) (SCRUTINY -
CORPORATE RESOURCES) -
Members were advised of the outcome of an
investigation that had been conducted by the Commission for Local
Administration in Wales into an allegation of maladministration
against the Council.
(a) By Mr. A. of
Barry who in July 2006 complained that the Council had
failed to adhere to an agreement that letters to his wife would be
copied to her solicitor for translation.
The Council
explained that it had agreed in December 2005 that all
correspondence from the Legal Department would be copied to Mrs.
A.’s solicitor, and that at the same time, a request was made to
the Community Services Department for all significant
correspondence to be copied to the Legal Department so it could
deal with it in the same way. The Council argued that there
was no firm agreement on the part of the Community Services
Department to copy correspondence in this way, and that even though
in practice they did so in the majority of cases, only letters
which were felt to be significant by the Community Services
Department were sent.
The Ombudsman took
the view that what is “significant” in this context was a matter of
interpretation.
Following his
investigation, the Ombudsman stated that he was pleased to learn
that the Council had acknowledged that its action may well have
caused additional confusion for Mrs. A. and that it had now
arranged for copies of all correspondence from the Legal and the
Community Services Departments to be sent to Mrs. A.’s
solicitors. The Ombudsman believed however, that it would
have been better for a firm agreement to have been reached between
the Legal and Community Services Departments at the time of Mrs.
A.’s first approach to the Director in December 2005, and for the
resulting arrangements to have been clearly communicated to all
staff at that time. To that limited extent, he found that
there was a shortcoming in the actions taken by the Council to
address Mr. A.’s concern and accordingly upheld the complaint. In
view of the positive actions already taken by the Council, the only
recommendation made by the Ombudsman was that an apology be made to
Mr. A. for the time and trouble he had been put to, and to Mrs. A.
(in her native language) for any confusion and distress which she
had been caused.
Following the Ombudsman’s
decision in the matter, the Chief Executive wrote to the Ombudsman
to express his disquiet with the complaint being upheld. It
was pointed out that following the initial complaint the Corporate
Complaints Officer did not carry out an investigation because he
accepted Mr A’s word that in some instances correspondence was not
copied to Mrs A’s Solicitors. Further, despite the Council’s
willingness to investigate later complaints from Mr A in the
matter, Mr A never provided details for the Council to
investigate.
In a final attempt to resolve the issue
amicably, the Council agreed that an apology be made for any
misunderstanding or confusion that may have been caused, but this
was interpreted by the Ombudsman as an admission of guilt.
However, notwithstanding the Ombudsman’s
decision, the recommendations made by the Ombudsman were considered
to be reasonable and were accepted.
This was a matter for Executive decision.
RESOLVED - T H A T the report be noted.
Reason for decision
In order that the Cabinet and Council can be
informed.
C2899
TREASURY MANAGEMENT (DFICTP) (SCRUTINY - CORPORATE RESOURCES)
-
Cabinet was provided with an interim report on
the Council’s Treasury Management operations for the period
1st April, 2006 to 31st December, 2006
together with the proposed 2007/08 Treasury Management and Annual
Investment Strategy for consideration which was attached at
Appendix A to the report. Under new capital finance
regulations in 2004, WAG had provided Councils with a General
Capital Funding Grant and the authority was also advised of a level
of borrowing that the Assembly would be prepared to fund via the
Revenue Support Grant Settlement. In order to manage the
increased flexibility, Part 1 of the Local Government Act 2003
required local authorities to have regard to the Prudential Code
which had been developed by the Chartered Institute of Public
Finance and Accountancy as a professional code of practice.
The introduction of the code and new legislation therefore required
the Council to set out its strategy for borrowing and to prepare an
annual investment strategy albeit the investment guidance issued by
WAG had stated that authorities could combine the treasury strategy
and annual investment strategy into one statement.
This was a matter for decision of Full
Council.
RECOMMENDED -
(1) T H A
T the Treasury Management interim report for the period
1st April to 31st December 2006 be noted.
(2) T H A
T the proposed 2007/08 Treasury Management and Annual Investment
Strategy be referred to Council for approval including the
following specific resolutions as set out in the Strategy Action
Plan:
(i) The Authorised
Limit for External Debt be set at £142,049,000 for 2006/07,
£147,041,000 for 2007/08, £153,033,000 for 2008/09 and £159,025,000
for 2009/10.
(ii)
The Operational Boundary for External Debt be set at £125,049,000
for 2006/07, £130,041,000 for 2007/08, £134,033,000 for 2008/09 and
£140,025,000 for 2009/10.
(iii)
Delegated authority be granted to the Director of Finance ICT and
Property within the total Authorised Limit and Operational Boundary
as estimated for individual years to effect movement between the
separately agreed limits for borrowing and other long term
liabilities.
(iv) An
upper limit be set on its fixed interest rate exposures for 2006/07
of £114,000,000, for 2007/08 of £111,000,000, for 2008/09 of
£116,000,000 and for 2009/10 of £121,000,000 of its net outstanding
principal sum on its borrowings / investments.
(v)
An upper limit be set on its variable interest rate exposures
for
2006/07 of (£90,000,000), for 2007/08 of
(£84,000,000), for 2008/09 of (£70,000,000) and for 2009/10 of
(£65,000,000) of its net outstanding principal sums on its
borrowings / investments.
(vi) An
upper limit of £13,000,000 be set for total principal sums invested
for over 364 days for 2006/07, 2007/08, 2008/09 and 2009/10.
(vii)
The amount of projected borrowing that is fixed rate maturing
in
each period as a percentage of total projected
borrowing that is fixed rate be set as below:
|
Maturity Structure of New Fixed
Borrowing During 2007/08
|
Upper Limit
|
Lower Limit
|
|
Under 12 months
|
50%
|
0%
|
|
12 months and within 24 months
|
20%
|
0%
|
|
24 months and within 5 years
|
30%
|
0%
|
|
5 years and within 10 years
|
30%
|
0%
|
|
10 years and above
|
100%
|
0%
|
(viii)
The Prudential Indicators set out in the Strategy be approved.
Reasons for recommendations
(1) The
Treasury Management Interim Report be prepared as required by the
Council’s Treasury Management Policy Statement.
(2) The
Treasury Management and Annual Investment Strategy be prepared as
required by the Local Government Act 2003
C2900
FINAL HOUSING REVENUE ACCOUNT BUDGET PROPOSALS 2007/2008 AND
REVISED BUDGET 2006/07 (DCS & DFICTP) (SCRUTINY - COMMUNITY
WELLBEING AND SAFTEY AND CORPORATE RESOURCES) -
The purpose of the report was to set the
budget for the financial year 2007/2008 and to report on the
revised estimates for the current financial year. Set out
below was a table which compared the original budget with the
proposed revised estimate:
|
|
2006/07 Original
Budget
|
2006/07 Proposed
Revised Estimate
|
Variance
(+)Favourable
(-)Adverse
|
|
|
£’000
|
£’000
|
£’000
|
|
Housing Revenue Account
|
(127)
|
(7)
|
-120
|
The net increase of £120,000 in the budget was
due to several reasons, an increase in security measures at High
View was reported to likely cost around £80,000, electricity and
gas prices had also risen by approximately £55,000 on sheltered
properties and communal lighting during the year. General
efficiency savings had accounted for any reductions in
budget. The proposed 2007/08 was set out at Appendix A to the
report. A supplementary report was tabled at the meeting
which advised Cabinet of the notification received from the
Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) regarding the rent setting
for Hafan Treharne Hostel for 2007/08. The notification
received on 5th February, 2007, provided a threshold
level of £105.59 per week and with a recommended addition for
heating and water set at £11.05. The total weekly charge
recommended was £116.64 and that the final budget proposal for
2007/08 be amended accordingly. It was also noted that on
page 5, the report should have read “2007/08” for the proposed
budget, not 2006/07.
This was a matter for decision by Full
Council.
RECOMMENDED -
(1) T H A
T the revised estimate 2006/07 be approved as outlined below:
(2) T H A
T the final budget proposal for 2007/08 be approved as outlined
below:-
|
Revised
Estimate
|
Objective
Analysis
|
Annual
Estimate
|
|
2006/2007
|
|
2007/2008
|
|
£’000
|
|
£’000
|
|
(6,886)
|
HRA General
|
(7,587)
|
|
987
|
General Management
|
1,074
|
|
585
|
Special Services
|
670
|
|
3,014
|
Housing Repairs Contribution
|
3,068
|
|
1,393
|
Central Support & Operational
Buildings
|
1,454
|
|
900
|
Capital Financing
|
900
|
|
(7)
|
Net Expenditure / Income
|
(421)
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2,666)
|
Working Balance Brought Forward
|
(2,673)
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2,673)
|
Working Balance Carried
Forward
|
(3,094)
|
(3) T H A T the increase
suggested for rent and other services be approved and the increases
be implemented from 2nd April 2007 and that increase notices be
sent to tenants 28 days in advance of the new charges coming into
effect. The charges for 2007/2008 be as follows: -
|
51 Week Basis
|
Current Charges
|
Proposed Charges
|
|
Rent – Dwelling
|
|
|
|
Band A (average)
|
£49.74 per week
|
£51.26 per week
|
|
Band B (average)
|
£60.09 per week
|
£62.87 per week
|
|
Band C to F (average)
|
£66.50 per week
|
£69.85 per week
|
|
Garage Rent
|
£4.82 per week
|
£5.09 per week
|
|
Heating
|
£5.92 to £8.57 per week
|
£7.10 to £10.28 per week
|
|
Warden Support
Charge
|
£6.44 per week
|
£6.63 per week
|
|
Piper System
|
£2.77 per week
|
£2.85 per week
|
|
Communicall
System
|
£3.21 per week
|
£3.31 per week
|
|
Sheltered Housing Guest
Suites
|
|
|
|
Double Occupancy (per night)
|
£8.08 per person
|
£8.53 per person
|
|
Single Occupancy (per night)
|
£11.55 per person
|
£12.20 per person
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sewerage Treatment
Plants
|
£211.57 per annum
|
£226.32 per annum
|
|
Hostel – 53 Week
Basis
|
£102.12 per week
|
£116.64 per week
|
|
28 Evans Street – 53 Week
Basis
|
£362.31 per week
|
£382.60 per week
|
(4) T H A T the Director of
Finance, ICT & Property report to Cabinet on a fair
apportionment of the security costs at Harbour View, Penarth
between the General Fund and the Housing Revenue Account.
(5) T
H A T the above recommendations be referred to Full Council.
Reasons for recommendations
(1) To
facilitate monitoring of the revised budget.
(2) As
required by statute.
(3) In
order to meet the statutory deadline to notify tenants of the new
charges as required by Statute.
(4) To
ensure a fair apportionment of the costs.
(5) The
Council’s budgets are referred to Full Council in accordance with
the Council’s Constitution.
C2901
FINAL PROPOSALS - CAPITAL PROGRAMME 2007/08 (DFICTP) (SCRUTINY -
CORPORATE RESOURCES) -
The Capital Programme for 2007/08 was
presented to the Cabinet at Appendix A to the report. The
report advised that the 2007/08 General Fund Capital allocation had
been announced by the Welsh Assembly Government being £8,174,000
which was a £297,000 increase over the current year. However,
the indicative Major Repairs Allowance (MRA) for 2007/08 which was
the grant that provided capital funding to the Housing Revenue
Account had not been announced by the Welsh Assembly Government
when the report was written. WAG had also not yet confirmed the
details of the amount of specific capital grant that the Council
would receive for road maintenance. Cabinet was advised
during the meeting that a letter had been received that day from
WAG, which confirmed that the MRA for the Council would be
£2.7m. Appendix A outlined the proposed 2007/08 Capital
Programme and the following table detailed the General Capital Fund
allocated by the Assembly and internal resources required to fund
the proposed schemes
|
Analysis of Net Funding Required for
the Indicative 2007/08 Capital Programme
|
£000
|
£000
|
|
|
|
|
|
General Fund Resources from Welsh
Assembly Government
|
|
|
|
Supported Borrowing
|
6,133
|
|
|
General Capital Grant
|
2,041
|
|
|
|
|
8,174
|
|
Council Resources
|
|
|
|
Capital Receipts
|
6,913
|
|
|
Reserves/Leasing/Revenue Contributions
|
4,813
|
|
|
|
|
11,726
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Capital Resources
|
|
19,900
|
Initial capital budget proposals had been
considered by the Cabinet on 22nd November and by each
Scrutiny Committee during December. The comments that had
been made by each Scrutiny Committee had been referred to the
Corporate Resources Scrutiny Committee (the lead committee) who had
subsequently formed recommendations for Cabinet to consider.
The recommendations of Scrutiny had been referred to the Cabinet on
13th December, 2006 who referred them for consideration
to the Budget Working Group. The Cabinet Budget Working Group
had noted all the Scrutiny recommendations and had taken the
responses into account in drafting the final proposals. The
report requested that Cabinet be given delegated authority to
approve certain budgets being brought forward during 2007/08 if the
schemes progress ahead of their schedules. The schemes were
identified in Appendix A. It was further proposed that where
individual schemes were for future years, and were shown in bold,
the budgets be now formally approved and not only indicative.
If the schemes that were shown in Appendix A were approved the
effect on useable capital receipts would be as detailed in the
following table:
|
Effect on Useable Capital Receipts
|
General
Fund
|
|
£000
|
|
Balance as at 1st April
2006
(includes £1.4m reduction for Schools
Investment Strategy)
|
9,309
|
|
|
|
|
Anticipated Requirements – 2006/07
|
(3,187)
|
|
Anticipated Receipts – 2006/07
|
2,100
|
|
|
|
|
Balance as at 31st March
2007
|
8,222
|
|
|
|
|
Anticipated Requirements – 2007/08
|
(6,913)
|
|
Anticipated Receipts – 2007/08
|
0
|
|
|
|
|
Balance as at 31st March
2008
|
1,309
|
|
|
|
|
Anticipated Requirements – 2008/09
|
(3,225)
|
|
Anticipated Receipts – 2008/09
|
2,000
|
|
|
|
|
Balance as at 31st March
2009
|
84
|
|
|
|
|
Anticipated Requirements – 2009/10
|
0
|
|
Anticipated Receipts – 2009/10
|
0
|
|
|
|
|
Balance as at 31st March
2010
|
84
|
This was a matter for decision by Full
Council.
RECOMMENDED -
(1) T H A
T the proposed Capital Programme for 2007/08 as set out in Appendix
A to the report be approved and referred to Council.
(2) T H A
T Council be requested to give Cabinet delegated authority to bring
forward identified budgets approved in 2008/09 to 2007/08, if
schemes were progressing ahead of schedule.
(3) T H A
T for the budgets in future years, shown in Appendix A to the
report and highlighted in bold, Council formally be requested to
approve these budgets now, while the remainder are indicative
only.
(4) T H A T the Director of
Environmental and Economic Regeneration review the Llantwit Major
highway works scheme to identify elements that meet the criteria
for priority1 schemes (health and safety).
(5) T H A T the Director of
Environmental and Economic Regeneration produce a report for a
future Cabinet’s approval that details the works to be undertaken
from the Visible Services Asset Renewal allocation of £800,000 and
considers the scheme for investigation into the pedestrian works
access scheme at Cwm Colhuw.
(6) T H A T the Director of
Finance, ICT and Property produce a report for a future Cabinet’s
approval that details the works to be undertaken from the general
Asset Renewal Programme.
(7) T H A
T delegated authority be granted to the Director of Finance, ICT
and Property, in consultation with the Deputy Leader to make
additions or omissions to the 2007/08 Asset Renewal budgets as
appropriate.
(8) T H A T approval be granted
for applications to be submitted for the following schemes and for
the Capital Programme to be automatically amended:
· Central Station Land
Purchase
£1,400,000
·
Safety
Cameras
£50,000
Reasons for recommendations
(1) To set
and approve future capital programmes.
(2) To allow capital schemes to
proceed as soon as possible.
(3) To allow schemes that span
more than one year to be fully approved.
(4) To allow health and safety
aspects of the scheme to proceed.
(5) For Cabinet to approve the
schemes to be funded from the Visible Services Asset Renewal
allocation.
(6) For
Cabinet to approve the schemes to be funded from the General Asset
Renewal allocation.
(7) To
enable to Asset Renewal budget to be managed efficiently.
(8) To
allow grant submission and subsequent approval in the capital
programme.
C2902
FINAL PROPOSALS - REVENUE BUDGET 2007/08 (DFICTP) (SCRUTINY -
CORPORATE RESOURCES) -
The report presented proposals for Cabinet’s
consideration in order that Cabinet’s recommendations could be made
to Council in respect of
·
PART 1 - the revised estimates for the current financial year
·
PART 2 - the budget for the financial year 2007/2008.
The following table compared the amended
original budget with the estimated outturn for 2006/07:
|
|
2006/07
|
2006/07
|
Variance
|
|
|
Amended
Original
|
Estimated
|
(+)Favourable
|
|
Directorate/Service
|
Budget
|
Out turn
|
(-) Adverse
|
|
|
£’000
|
£’000
|
£’000
|
|
Learning and Development
|
|
|
|
|
Education and Schools
|
78,832
|
78,712
|
+120
|
|
Libraries
|
2,501
|
2,501
|
0
|
|
Lifelong Learning
|
1,878
|
1,998
|
(-)120
|
|
Human Resources and Equalities
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
|
Social Services
|
|
|
|
|
Children’s Services
|
11,462
|
12,943
|
(-)1,481
|
|
Community Care and Health
|
27,191
|
29,749
|
(-)2,558
|
|
YOT
|
762
|
762
|
0
|
|
Service Strategy
|
258
|
258
|
0
|
|
Less tfr from Social Services Fund
|
(1,000)
|
(335)
|
(-)665
|
|
Total Social Services
|
38,673
|
43,377
|
(-)4,704
|
|
Catering
|
1,029
|
1,159
|
(-)130
|
|
Private Sector Housing/Community
Safety
|
3,188
|
2,988
|
+200
|
|
Environmental and Economic
Regeneration
|
3,054
5,659
19,280
0
|
2,925
5,763
19,125
180
|
+129
(-)104
+155
(-)180
|
|
Legal and Regulatory
Services
Legal, Democratic and Registrars etc
Regulatory
|
317
2,225
|
317
2,225
|
0
0
|
|
Finance ICT and
Property
Finance, ICT and Property
Policy
|
0
15,180
|
0
14,897
|
0
+283
|
|
Chief Executive
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
|
Total
|
171,816
|
176,167
|
(-)4,351
|
The report highlighted that the overall
deficit of £4,351,000 would need to be funded from reserves in
addition to the £2,250,000 that was required to balance the
2006/2007 budget. An estimated Council Tax surplus for
2006/07 in the sum of £1million would be transferred to the General
Fund. It was also noted that general reserves as at
1st April, 2006 amounted to £6.4 million and as a
desirable minimum level of general reserve was £4millon,
consequently some specific reserves would need to be
un-earmarked. In respect of the proposed budget for 2007/08
the initial revenue budget proposals had been considered by Cabinet
on 22nd November, 2006 and by each of the Scrutiny
Committees during November and December.
The comments made by each Scrutiny Committee
had been referred to the Scrutiny Committee (Corporate Resources)
(the lead Committee) who formed the final recommendations for
Cabinet to consider. The recommendations of the Scrutiny
Committee were reported to Cabinet on 13th December who
subsequently referred them to the Budget Working Group. The
Cabinet Budget Working Group had noted all the Scrutiny
recommendations and took the responses into account in drafting the
final budget proposals for consideration.
It was also noted that in arriving at the
final proposals the views of the Schools Budget Forum had been very
carefully considered and further information on the schools
settlements was contained in paragraphs 46 - 50 of the
report. The Welsh Assembly Government had sought to maximise
efficiency gains through the scale of economies of more effective
co-operation and co-ordination between agencies across the whole of
the public sector. However, because of the difficult
financial position of the Council and the level of cost pressures
facing the Council the budget proposed setting a much more
ambitious target than that set by WAG. In general the targets
were for an increase of 4% in employee productivity and a reduction
in the consumption of certain controllable resources of 15%.
Schools would however, be excluded from the target due to WAG’s
view that only 0.3% should be sought from the school’s
budget. Therefore the gross efficiency target was
£3.45million which was about 2% of the total budget for
2006/07. The drive to achieve value for money services and
more efficiencies would also need to continue into future years and
Directors and Service Heads would have to prepare plans to achieve
not only the target savings for 2007/08 but also to achieve minimum
savings in both 2008/09 and 2009/10 that equated to at least 2% of
their net revenue budget for 2007/08 although schools were asked
to plan for efficiency savings of at least 0.3%.
The report further highlighted that Directors
and Service Heads should manage the implementation of the savings
so that there was no detrimental effect on service outcomes and
they could if they wished save on headings other than those on
which the target was based if this would be more appropriate.
If efficiency savings were identified that were in excess of the
target the service area would be allowed to retain the additional
money that was saved for their own use in that year. The
Council’s newly established efficiency unit would monitor the
progress of services in achieving the target to ensure that genuine
efficiency measures were taken that did not result in the reduced
outcome for the client. The efficiency unit would also work
with services to help identify and realise efficiency
savings. The reported highlighted that the Trade Unions had
been consulted informally on the financial issues that faced the
Council and as part of the arrangements to be introduced to deliver
the identified efficiencies. The Trade Unions would also be
consulted regularly to review progress to consider options and
staffing implications.
As a result of the previous Cabinet decision
during the meeting regarding the virement of £128,000 from Visible
Services to Economic Development and Leisure, it was agreed that
the revised budget for 2006/07 be amended accordingly.
This was a matter for a decision by Full
Council.
RECOMMENDED -
(1) T H A T -
(i) The budget for 2007/08 at £179.312m. be fixed
including a provision of £150,000 for discretionary rate relief to
rural shops and post offices and charitable
organisations;
(ii) The budgets for 2007/08 as
set out in Appendix C to the report, the totals being as follows be
approved:-
|
|
£’000
|
|
Education and Schools
|
82,341
|
|
Libraries
|
2,656
|
|
Lifelong Learning
|
1,869
|
|
Human Resources
|
-44
|
|
Children’s Services
|
12,056
|
|
Community Care
|
27,681
|
|
YOT
|
756
|
|
Service Strategy
|
158
|
|
Social Services Temporary Uplift
|
3,641
|
|
Catering
|
1,073
|
|
Private Housing/Community
Safety
|
3,200
|
|
Planning and Transportation
|
3,056
|
|
Economic Development and
Leisure
|
5,756
|
|
Visible Services
|
19,343
|
|
Building Services
|
0
|
|
Legal, Democratic & Registrars
|
248
|
|
Regulatory
|
2,295
|
|
Chief Executive
|
9
|
|
Finance, ICT & Property
|
-101
|
|
General Policy
|
17,369
|
|
General Fund Reserve
|
-4050
|
(iii) The recommendations regarding Net
Growth set out in Appendix D to the report be approved.
(iv) The Council Tax for 2007/08 be set
for its own purposes (excluding police and town and community
council precepts) at the following levels:
|
Band
|
Council
Tax
£
|
|
A
|
528.54
|
|
B
|
616.63
|
|
C
|
704.72
|
|
D
|
792.81
|
|
E
|
968.99
|
|
F
|
1145.17
|
|
G
|
1321.35
|
|
H
|
1585.62
|
|
I
|
1849.89
|
(2) T H A T -
(i) The
revised budget of £169.566M for 2006/07 as follows be approved:
|
|
£’000
|
|
Education and Schools
|
78,832
|
|
Libraries
|
2,501
|
|
Lifelong Learning
|
1,878
|
|
Human Resources & Equalities
|
0
|
|
Children’s Services
|
11,462
|
|
Community Care
|
27,191
|
|
YOT
|
762
|
|
Service Strategy
|
258
|
|
Catering
|
1,029
|
|
Private Housing/Community
Safety
|
3,188
|
|
Planning and
Transportation
|
3,054
|
|
Economic Development and
Leisure
|
5,787
|
|
Visible Services
|
19,152
|
|
Building Services
|
0
|
|
Legal, Democratic & Registrars
|
317
|
|
Regulatory
|
2,225
|
|
Finance, ICT & Property
|
0
|
|
General Policy
|
15,180
|
|
Chief Executive
|
0
|
|
General Fund/Social Services Reserve
|
-3250
|
(3) T H A
T the proposed draft report on Education Budget and IBA at Appendix
A be endorsed and the Director of Learning and Development make
arrangements for it to be forwarded to the School Budget Forum and
WAG.
(4) T H A
T the efficiency targets for 2008/09 and 2009/10 as set out in
paragraphs 37 and 38 be endorsed.
(5) T H A
T Social Services produce proposals to bring their expenditure down
to its target level by 2009/10 and bring a report to Cabinet.
(6)
T H A T Cabinet determine the allocation of the temporary
uplift to the Social Services Budget for 2007/08 between Children
& Family Services, Community Care & Health, Y.O.T. and
Service Strategy.
(7) T H A
T additional expenditure for Visible Services funded from any
additional Local Authority Business Growth Incentive Scheme Grant
that may be received for 2006/07 and 2007/08 be approved.
(8) T H
A T £1.4M from the Capital Fund and £2.2M from the Project
Fund be transferred to General Reserve during
2006/07.
(9) T H
A T the Director of Finance, ICT and Property consider the details
of the Specific Reserves to be repaid into the General Reserve and
increasing the Early Retirement Reserve, when preparing Final
Accounts for 2006/07 and report to Cabinet at that time.
(10) T H A T delegated
powers be given to the Director of Learning and Development to
determine the amount of money to be allocated to the schools’
delegated budgets after consultation with the Schools Budget
Forum.
(11) T H A T the above
recommendations be referred to Full Council.
Reasons for Recommendations
(1)(i) Set 2007/08
budget in line with statutory requirements.
(1)(ii)&(iii) Allocation of budget
to services.
(1)(iv) Set Council
Tax levels for 2007/08.
(2) Seek approval of
revised estimates.
(3)
So that the report can be presented to the Schools Budget Forum and
WAG.
(4)
To set efficiency targets for Services.
(5)
In order that Social Services plan to meet their expenditure
target.
(6)
To achieve the most appropriate use of resources.
(7)
To increase Visible Services budget should funds become
available.
(8&9) To
increase the level of General Reserve to enable the funding of the
revenue budget.
(10)
Set out delegated authority in relation to
allocation of Education and Schools budget.
(11) To
comply with the Council’s Constitution.
C2903
MATTER WHICH THE CHAIRMAN HAD DECIDED WAS URGENT -
RESOLVED - T H A T the following matter which
the Chairman had decided was urgent for the reasons stated be
considered.
C2904
PROGRESS REPORT - LEISURE AND TOURISM - FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT OF THE
COUNCIL’S LEISURE CENTRES (DFICTP) (SCRUTINY -
Urgent by reason of the need to inform
Cabinet of the view of the Audit Committee without
delay
The Cabinet received a reference from the
Audit Committee of 29th January, 2007 in respect of the
above. The Audit Committee had been provided with background
information relating to the financial management of the Council’s
leisure centres and detailed progress made to date. The
report highlighted that the internal Audit Section had over the
past four years undertaken a number of audit system reviews at
Council leisure centres. As a result of the overview, the
overall audit opinion was that the financial systems and control at
the centres was extremely weak and in need of urgent
improvement. Based upon the results of the reviews internal
audit had concluded that the lack of action on the part of Senior
Leisure Management to implement appropriate procedures had resulted
in a situation where internal audit could not provide the necessary
assurances to the authority’s Section 151 officer as to the overall
adequacy and effectivenes