Venue: Sparkenhoe Committee Room, County Hall, Glenfield
Contact: Mr. M.I. Seedat (Tel: 0116 265 6037) Email: mseedat@leics.gov.uk
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By Invitation Mr. H. Barber CC – Leader of the Council. Prof. M.E. Preston CC – Deputy Leader of the Council. |
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Minutes of the meeting of the Commission held on 16th January, 2002. PDF 15 KB Minutes: The minutes of the meeting held on 16th 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. |
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Questions asked by electors under Standing Order 35. Minutes: The Chief Executive reported that no questions had been received under Standing order 35. |
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Questions asked by members under Standing Order 7(3) and 7(5). Minutes: The Chief Executive reported that no questions had been received under Standing Order 7(3) and 7(5). |
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Any other items which the Chairman has decided to take as urgent elsewhere on the agenda. Minutes: There were no urgent items for consideration. |
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Declarations of pecuniary and non-pecuniary interests in respect of items on this agenda. Minutes: There were no declarations of interest. |
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Declarations of the Party Whip in accordance with Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rule 16. Minutes: There were no declarations made under Overview and Scrutiny Procedure. |
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Presentations of Petitions under Standing Order 36. Minutes: The Chief Executive reported that there were no petitions to be presented under Standing Order 36. |
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Capital Programme 2002/03 to 2004/5. PDF 27 KB Additional documents:
Minutes: 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. |
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Revised Estimates 2001/2 Revenue Budget 2002/3. PDF 30 KB Additional documents:
Minutes: 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. |
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Date of Next and Future Meetings. 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, 27th February, 2002 at 2.00 p.m. Wednesday, 13th March, 2002 at 10.30 a.m. Wednesday, 17th April, 2002 at 2.30 p.m. Wednesday, 8th May, 2002 at 10.30 a.m. Wednesday, 26th June, 2002 at 2.30 p.m. Minutes: RESOLVED: That the following meetings programme proposed for the period up to the end of June 2002 be approved: Wednesday, 27th February, 2002 at 2.00 p.m. Wednesday, 13th March, 2002 at 10.30 a.m. Wednesday, 17th April, 2002 at 2.30 p.m. Wednesday, 8th May, 2002 at 10.30 a.m. Wednesday, 26th June, 2002 at 2.30 p.m. 31.01.02. CHAIRMAN 9.30 a.m. – 12.35 p.m. |