Agenda and minutes

Mr. H. Barber CC – Leader of the Council.

Prof. M.E. Preston CC – Deputy Leader of the Council.

The minutes of the meeting held on 16^th January, 2002 were taken as read, confirmed and signed, subject to the inclusion of Mrs. Bill CC in the list of members present at the meeting.

The Chief Executive reported that no questions had been received under Standing order 35.

The Chief Executive reported that no questions had been received under Standing Order 7(3) and 7(5).

There were no urgent items for consideration.

There were no declarations of interest.

There were no declarations made under Overview and Scrutiny Procedure.

The Chief Executive reported that there were no petitions to be presented under Standing Order 36.

The Commission considered a joint report of the Chief Executive and County Treasurer concerning the proposed capital programme for 2002/03 to 2004/05.  A copy of the report marked ‘B’ is filed with these minutes.

 

The Commission also considered the decisions/comments made by Scrutiny Committees in respect of the proposed capital programme.  A supplementary report, marked ‘BB’, setting out the comments/decisions of the Scrutiny Committees is filed with these minutes.

 

The Chairman welcomed Mr. H. Barber CC and Professor M.E. Preston CC, the Leader and Deputy Leader of the Council, who had kindly agreed to attend the meeting to answer questions on this and the next item of business.

 

RESOLVED:

 

(a)       That the proposed Capital Programmes for 2002/03 to 2004/05 be welcomed and that the views expressed by the Scrutiny Committees thereon be drawn to the attention of the Cabinet.

 

(b)       That the development of a list of reserve schemes which could be brought forward in case of slippage in the main programme be particularly welcomed and it be noted that the system would enable planning and design work to be carried out in advance during the current year, subject to the availability of staff time and resources.

The Commission considered a report of the Chief Executive and County Treasurer concerning the Revised Estimate for 2001/02 and the proposed revenue budget for 2002/03.  A copy of the report marked ‘C’ is filed with these minutes.

 

The Commission also considered the comments/decisions of the Health and Social Care, Education and Heritage.  Planning and Environment and Finance Scrutiny Committees in respect of the revised estimate and proposed revenue budget.  A copy of the supplementary report, marked ‘CC’, (Annexes 1 – 5) is filed with these minutes.

 

The Commission also considered additional information that had been provided and the request of Scrutiny Committees (Annexe 6) and the following two letters that had recently been reviewed:-

 

(i)         Letter from The Rt.Hon. Estelle Morris MP – Secretary of State at the Department for Education and Skills concerning the ‘passporting’ of education funding and the level of delegation to schools (copy attached Annexe 7).

 

(ii)        Letter from Mr. F. Straw – Leader of North West Leicestershire District Council setting out that Council’s position in respect of Concessionary Travel for disabled people (Copy attached Annexe 8).

 

Copies of these two letters and the additional information requested by Scrutiny Committees are filed with these minutes.

 

General Matters

 

During the discussion on the general issues relating to the budget the following points were made:-

 

            Final Revenue Support Grant (RSG) Settlement

 

There had been some minor changes arising from the finalised RSG settlement, the effect of which was an increase in the RSG received by the Council by approximately £60,000. There would also be some other changes in funding and expenditure since the proposed budget had been compiled.

 

            Consultation on the Budget

 

In response to criticisms from some members regarding the contents of the budget leaflet and the consultation process in relation to the budget proposals, the Leader reminded members of the consultation process undertaken when developing the Medium Term Corporate Strategy. The development of the Medium Term Corporate Strategy, including the consultation undertaken thereon, satisfied the requirements of the Constitution to consult on a budget strategy, because it established the priorities of the Administration and, therefore, of the budget process. The Leader reminded the Commission of other consultations that had taken place, particularly with schools and of the publicity in the local press.

 

The budget leaflet sought to provide information in broad terms on how the County Council was funded, the pressures on services due to increased cost and demands, the priorities in the Medium Term Plan on which additional expenditure was being proposed and the impact of these on the Council Tax. The Leader acknowledged the need to ensure that the leaflet sent out with Council Tax bills should seek to explain the reasons for the proposed increase in Council Tax as was always the case and the main reason why such leaflets were produced.

 

Comments/Decisions of Scrutiny Committees

 

During the discussion on the comments made by Scrutiny Committees relating to the budget the following new or additional points were made:-

 

Health and Social Care (Annexe 1)

 

            Payments to Independent Sector Providers

 

The proposed increase in payments to independent sector providers of residential and nursing care at the different bands ranged from 4% to 5.3%. The increased payments were being made to reflect the additional cost being incurred by the care sector arising from the introduction of the minimum wage, working time directive, labour market competition and increased operational costs. The Commission was also reminded of the proposed new care standards for residential and nursing care to be introduced shortly, which would have an impact on the costs of care provision.

 

Direct Payments

 

The Commission noted  ...  view the full minutes text for item 78.

Following consultation with the Chairman and Spokesmen of the Commission the following meetings programme is proposed for the period up to the end of June 2002:

 

Wednesday, 27^th February, 2002 at 2.00 p.m.

Wednesday, 13^th March, 2002 at 10.30 a.m.

Wednesday, 17^th April, 2002 at 2.30 p.m.

Wednesday, 8^th May, 2002 at 10.30 a.m.

Wednesday, 26^th June, 2002 at 2.30 p.m.

RESOLVED:

 

That the following meetings programme proposed for the period up to the end of June 2002 be approved:

 

Wednesday, 27^th February, 2002 at 2.00 p.m.

Wednesday, 13^th March, 2002 at 10.30 a.m.

Wednesday, 17^th April, 2002 at 2.30 p.m.

Wednesday, 8^th May, 2002 at 10.30 a.m.

Wednesday, 26^th June, 2002 at 2.30 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

 

31.01.02.                                                                                                   CHAIRMAN

9.30 a.m. – 12.35 p.m.