Issue - meetings

Report by the Chief Executive.

14.1     Becky Shaw, Chief Executive introduced the item by providing an overview of the context within which the current RPPR process is taking place.   This included discussing the strategy of developing a ‘Core Offer’ in the light of proposed further savings of £45m required over the next three years. The Committee were also informed that further detail will be provided to Members after the Chancellor of the Exchequer delivers the Government’s budget on 29 October (with a response to the budget being considered at Cabinet in November).  

14.2     The Committee sought further clarification regarding what services would either be potentially be included or excluded from the Core Offer.  In response, the Chief Executive commented that no decisions had been made yet, and that whilst she was sympathetic to the requests for more detail, it was not possible to do so at the time of the meeting.   

14.3     The Committee noted the Core Offer extract (attached as Appendix 3 to the report), and asked for clarification as to whether safeguarding was being given an appropriate level of priority.  In response, the Committee were informed that Appendix 3 is not a priority list and that instead, it should be viewed as a work in progress document.   The Chief Executive also confirmed the Council has been lobbying the Government regarding providing local authorities more discretion over such matters as the fees the Council are able to charge for certain types of service.   

14.4     RESOLVED:   to establish a Scrutiny Review Board which will meet on Thursday 10 December 2018.