Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed Members to the second virtual meeting of the Finance & Performance Scrutiny Committee for the 2020/21 Municipal Year.

Apologies of absence were received from County Borough Councillor S. Rees-Owen, W. Owen and J. Edwards.

To receive disclosures of personal interest from Members in accordance with the Code of Conduct

Note:

1.    Members are requested to identify the item number and subject matter that their interest relates to and signify the nature of the personal interest: and,

2.    Where Members withdraw from a meeting as a consequence of the disclosure of a prejudicial interest they must notify the Chairman when they leave.

In accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct, there were no declarations made pertaining to the agenda.

To receive the minutes of the previous meeting of the Finance and Performance Scrutiny Committee held on 19^th October 2020.

It was RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the 16^th November as an accurate reflection of the meeting.

Information is provided in respect of relevant consultations for consideration by the Committee.

The Chair referenced the consultation links, which were available through the ‘RCT Scrutiny’ website.  Members were reminded that information is provided in respect of relevant consultations for consideration by the Committee, which are circulated on a monthly basis.

To consider the Medium Term Financial Plan 2020/21 to 2023/24.

With the aid of a power point presentation, the Service Director – Finance and Improvement Services introduced the Council’s ‘Medium Term Financial Plan 2020/21 to 2023/24’.

Members were asked to consider the Council’s ‘Medium Term Financial Plan 2020/21 to 2023/24’, attached as Appendix A and were informed that the  Committee’s feedback would be used as a consultee of the Council’s 2021/22 Budget Consultation process.

The Service Director – Finance and Improvement Services covered the following areas:

·       The Council‘s 2020/21 budget and financial position; and,

·       An overview of the Council’s updated MTFP (2020/21 – 2023/24)

Following the overview, Members were provided with the opportunity to ask questions.

Councillor Cullwick referred Members to page 50 of the report and sought clarification between the figures of £11,133M in relation to forecasted inescapable budget pressures and table 10 which states £9.558M. The Service Director explained that the difference is that the figure of £11,133M includes the figure in respect of schools where as the £9.558M figure does not include school inescapable budget pressures. The Service Director assurd Members that it’s not Authority wide it is just where the schools inescapable pressure is shown in the presentation.

Discussions ensued and Councillor Fox raised a query in respect of Brexit and sought clarification on Council finances if we were to leave the EU without a deal. The Service Director informed Members that where the Council knows that there will be financial changes, these have been included as inescapable financial bids within the updated plan. The Service Director advised Members that there is going to be some element of risk, however, he assured Members that these have been built into the risk aspects. In terms of Brexit, the Service Director assured the Committee that the potential impacts of Brexit are monitored on a daily basis and that robust financial planning arrangements are in place.

A further query was raised by Councillor Thomas in respect of Storm Dennis and the flooding that occurred in February this year. Councillor Thomas sought clarification as to whether this would be fully funded by U.K Government or whether this cost needs to be factored into the Council’s financial planning projections. He also queried the use of the term “efficiency” and queried whether the Council could continue to provide the same quality of service. In respect of the flooding, the Service Director advised Members that there has been regular engagement with Welsh Government and that the Welsh Government have set out detailed terms and conditions around what expenditure is eligible and that the claims submitted to date by the Council have been in line with the eligibility criteria. As part of the Council’s budget monitoring arrangements, the Service Director advised that the are making contingency provisions on the basis that there may be a risk of some of the claims being disallowed and to ensure a prudent approach. However, it is unknown what will happen in the next Municipal Year, particularly in terms of COVID etc and that dialogue will be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

To consider the 2021/22 Budget Consultation.

With the aid of a PowerPoint presentation, the Service Director – Finance & Improvement Services provided Members with an overview of the 2021/22 Revenue Budget Strategy Consultation and updated Committee on the following areas:

·     Approach for 2021/22

·     Consultation

o  Council Budget 2020/21

o  The Council’s Priorities

o  Council Tax Reduction Scheme

o  Draft Corporate Plan 2020 – 24

·     Budget Setting Timetable

Following the update, the Service Director indicated that the overview intended to assist Members in formulating their responses to a number of questions to be posed to the Committee, in line with its Terms of Reference and as a consultee as part of the 2021/22 Revenue Budget Strategy Consultation process.

The Service Director sought feedback from the Committee on a number of areas and the views of Members are noted below.

o   Schools Budget

In respect of school budgets, Committee Members agreed that the Council should provide sufficient resources to fully cover increased pay and non-pay cost pressures in schools.

o   Fees and Charges

Councillor Thomas argued that unless the real inflation cost in RCT Council is known in comparison to CPI then the question is difficult to answer. The Service Director advised Members that the majority of areas on the list include an element of co-funding from Welsh Government or the Council Tax payer. The increase reflects the rise that residents will be experiencing in terms of the items that they purchase.

A further query was raised by Councillor Cullwick referred the Committee to table 6.1 in the report and advised Members that he felt the increases in table 6.1 appeared to be very sensible.

Discussions ensued and Councillor Caple raised a query in respect of fixed penalty notices for fly tipping etc and expressed his view that the public would welcome an increase higher than inflation. The Service Director advised Members that it would need to be considered whether it was within the Council’s remit to increase it above a particular level, however, the Service Director advised Members that it would be noted as part of the consultation process. Councillor Bradwick advised that as Chair of the Public Service Delivery and Prosperity Scrutiny Committee he believed this to be correct and that the fines are capped by Welsh Government. Councillor Bradwick expressed his view that the fines should be increased. The Service Director advised Members that there may be some scope to increase the fines around fly tipping.

The Chair emphasised that if Members would like to acquire further information then they should contact the appropriate Service Director and request feedback as appropriate. 

The Chair also sought further information in respect of the Pontypridd Lido and queried whether the increase includes the use of activities by children who currently use the Lido for free. The Service Director advised that as pat of the Council’s current budget modelling it will assume a 1.7% increase on the use of equipment. The Chair advised that he would put a list together of different areas and send his views over to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

To reflect on the meeting and actions to be taken forward.

The Chair thanked Members for attending and reminded Members that the next meeting of the Finance and Performance Scrutiny Committee will be held on the 21^st December 2020. The Chair asked if the budget presentation could be sent around to Members and that the further information requested by Members is fed back to Committee.

To consider any items, which the Chairman, by reason of special circumstances, is of the opinion should be considered at the meeting as a matter of urgency.

There was no urgent business to report.