Decision details

The Committee will start the process of examining the Departmental Portfolio Plans and budget for the 2017/18 financial year.

25.1     The Committee considered a report by the Chief Executive which provided an overview of the council’s business and financial planning process (RPPR) and the Committee’s ongoing role in this process.

Capital Programme

25.2     The Committee discussed the Capital Programme and made the following comments.

• The Committee asked for further information on the New Homes Bonus as ESCC will have some future funding from this source and it would be helpful to have more clarity on the amount of funding. The Chief Finance Officer responded that historically figures have only been added for the next year, due to the uncertainty of this source of funding.

• The Committee requested further clarity about the Section 106 balances and money from Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) developer contributions in the Capital Programme. The Chie Finance Officer informed the Committee that the officer capital board looks in more detail at Section 106 commitments to ensure the money is spent within the five year time limit. The Chief Operating Officer added that updates on the capital programme take place every three months and the Communities, Economy and Environment department are making sure Section 106 money is spent against commitments. The amount of money shown against Section 106 contributions may reduce in future years as the use of CIL becomes more widespread and replaces Section 106 Planning agreements.

25.3     The Chief Finance Officer commented that the Council is coming to the end of current five year Capital Programme. Planning has started for the new Capital Programme which estimates that around £100million will be needed for the future capital programme. The Chief Operating Officer added next Capital Programme will mainly be comprised of core needs (e.g. programmes for schools, highways, IT etc.) and will be mainly funded by borrowing and grants. Once the Programme is agreed it will be analysed to determine what is short term (e.g. short term IT projects) or longer term need, which may influence the way it is funded.

25.4     Committee agreed that they would like more information on the current Capital Programme and its funding to be presented at the RPPR Board in December, including an outline of intentions for next capital programme.

Savings Plan (Appendix 3)

25.5     The Committee discussed the lines of enquiry and further information it required for consideration at the RPPR Board.

Public Health

• The Committee asked for further information about the ring fencing of the Public Health grant; to what extent year on year underspends are taken into account in budget planning and; further information on the Creating Healthy Communities and Smoking Cessation programmes.

Business Services

• As Orbis determines most of the savings in this area, the Committee requested further information on proposals for savings or increasing income generation. At present the description of the savings proposals is for the whole of Orbis and the Committee requested a service by service break down of savings. The Chief Operating Officer confirmed that this information is available for the Orbis partners on service by service basis.

• The Committee requested further information on the Income Generation Programme work; the Property Investment Strategy and; the Apprenticeship levy funding situation, including the rate of drawing down funds and the extent this may offset Human Resources costs. The Chief Operating Officer responded that the Apprenticeship work was something that was being carried out jointly by Communities, Economy and Transport and the Children’s Services departments.

Community Services

• The Chair outlined that a separate Board had been set up to look at the next stages of the Libraries’ Transformation programme. The Committee asked for an update on Registration Services at the RPPR Board including information on costs, fees and other income.

Governance

• The Committee requested further information on Orbis Public Law and on the savings plans for Senior Management and Organisational Development (SMOD), which includes Member Services. The Committee also noted that the savings plan for these services does not show gross budget figures and asked if they could be provided.

25.6     The Committee agreed that the RPPR Board would be made up of Councillors Blanch, Barnes, Standley and Webb. Councillors Keely, Lambert and Pragnell were invited to attend the RPPR Board if they are able. The Committee also agreed the proposed meeting date of the RPPR Board, which will be held on Monday 5 December 2016, starting at 1.00pm

25.7     RESOLVED to (1) agree the key areas of interest/lines of enquiry for scrutiny as being:

i) Capital Programme.

·        Further information on the funding of the capital programme and information on the impact on the revenue budget.

·        Further clarity on the amount of the contributions from the New Homes Bonus and Section 106/Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) for future years.

·        An indication of the sources of future funding for the new capital programme and the likely impact on revenue.

ii) Business Services.

·        A breakdown of the savings achieved under Orbis on a service by service basis.

·        Further information on the outcomes from the Income Generation Programme.

·        An update on the Property Investment Strategy.

·        An update on the Apprenticeship Levy funding, including the rate of draw down and the extent to which this can be offset against Human Resources costs.

iii) Community Services.

·        An update on the Registration Service, to include information on costs, fees and other income.

iv) Governance Services.

·        Further information (including gross budget figures) on:

v) Public Health.

·        Clarity about the future ring fencing arrangements of Public Health budgets;

·        Assurances about the future management of year on year underspends;

·        Further information on the delivery of programmes for Smoking Cessation and Creating Healthy Communities.

(2) establish a scrutiny review board consisting of Councillor Barnes, Councillor  Blanch, Councillor Standley and Councillor Webb, to consider the developing portfolio plans and savings proposals as they emerge in December and to submit scrutiny’s final comments on them to Cabinet in January 2017; and

(3) note the proposed RPPR Board date of Monday 5 December 2016.