Agenda item

Trafod yr Ymgynghoriad ar Gyllideb 2021/22.

 

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 the Service Director directly for consideration as part of the consultation process. The Chair emphasised that he would argue against the increase in the cost of the extra activities in the Lido. In respect of the entrance fees for cinemas, the Chair sought clarification as to whether this was just for the cinemas within the Park & Dare and the Coliseum. The Service Director confirmed that for the purposes of the slide, it would be for cinemas entrances but that as part of the budget modelling for all income budgets the starting point assumption would be a 1.7% increase.

 

The Director for Legal Services advised the Committee that Members can put forward their own comments and that the comments will be noted as part of the consultation process.

 

o   Council Service Priorities

 

Members were provided with a list of Council services and were asked which services should be protected and prioritised for additional resources in 2021/22. Committee Members were of the view that all services listed in the slide should be protected.

 

o   Council Tax

 

Members were provided with four options in respect of Council Tax increases for the next year. Councillor Thomas and Councillor Bradwick were of the view that the preferred option should be 2.85%. Councillor Thomas noted that efficiency savings should involve maintaining current services at the current level.

 

Discussions ensued and Mr Fish, the Voting parent/Governor Representative, noted that a lot more people are coming in to the Council Tax Reduction Scheme with changes in their personal circumstances and queried how many people would be brought into the CTRS by a 2.85% increase in Council Tax. The Service Director advised Members that there hasn’t been any specific modelling done for the 2021/22 Municipal Year. The Service Director advised the Committee that based on the current increased demand based on current Council Tax levels and as a result of COVID-19 for the first three months of the year there was an increase of over a 1000 claimants. The Service Director advised Members that by the end of March 2020, there were over 24,747 via CTRS and by the end of June 2020 there were 25, 855. The Council has estimated an additional cost of £1.2M in terms of CTRS and the consequences of this for families in RCT is something that will be picked up as part of the budget setting process.

 

Discussions continued and Councillor Yeo noted his agreement with the 2.85% current proposed level.  However, Councillor Yeo noted that the public should be made aware of how the police set their budget and that the process should involve public discussion and engagement. In respect of efficiency savings, Councillor Yeo noted his opinion that we will need to have efficiency savings unless we are given grants from the U.K Government.

 

Councillor Thomas emphasised that it was important that the question was put to the general public together with the necessary background information, such as the consequences of any reduction in Council Tax. The Service Director advised Members that there are public engagement events and that a video is currently being used as a tool to engage the public. The Service Director assured Members that when it comes to Council Tax, finance officers in the Council will set the appropriate context for Members of the public.

 

In relation to the police and crime commissioner budget setting process, the Chair queried how Committee Members could get further information and engage in a more open and transparent process. The Corporate Policy & Engagement Manager informed Members that in previous years the police and crime commissioner has rolled out engagement events such as roadshows and online surveys, however, he added that he hasn’t seen anything this year. The Corporate Policy & Engagement Manager informed Members that he would make enquiries to see what is being done this year and would feedback to Members. 

 

o   Efficiencies

 

Mr Fish, the Voting Parent/Governor Representative noted that due to the COVID-19 pandemic more Local Government employees are currently working from home. Mr Fish queried whether accommodation savings have been factored into the process in terms of efficiency savings. The Service Director – Finance and Improvement Services informed Members that the principle will be considered as part of next year’s budget. The Service Director emphasised that in terms of timing accommodation savings will not be felt until next year. He also emphasised that in terms of home working, whilst there are positive aspects there are also aspects to manage in terms of mental health, training and professional day to day contact. However, it was noted that where there can be accommodation savings, this will be processed as part of next year’s budget.

 

Discussions continued and Councillor Yeo expressed his view that as technology advances, there will be a further demand on services and staff to work more efficiently. Councillor Yeo emphasised that efficiency savings are necessary in order for the Council to continue maintaining frontline services.

In respect of accommodation savings, the Chair noted that whilst efficiency savings can be achieved as a result of staff working from home, it is also a saving that wont materialise in the short term. The Chair also expressed his view that the Council could do more in other service areas to become even more efficient.

 

In respect of electric vehicles, Councillor Cullwick queried whether there was a potential for any efficiency savings in this area. The Service Director advised Members that the market for electric vehicles is more expensive than the Council’s cost to renew it’s existing fleet. The Service Director informed Members that the Council is currently trialling vehicles and emphasised that the Council is committed to moving forward in this area in terms of climate change and reducing its carbon emissions, however, this will be a long term plan.

 

Discussions ensued and Councillor Williams expressed her view that it will not always be possible to deliver quality services while delivering more efficient services. In respect of home working, Councillor Williams emphasised that there are positives of going into the office and that it is important to achieve an appropriate balance. The Chair noted his agreement.

 

o   Council Reserves

 

Councillor Yeo stated his view that the Council should continue with the strategy of keeping reserves and he emphasised that it is due to keeping reserves that we were able to use them during the unprecedented event of the COVID-19 pandemic. Councillor Bradwick also noted his agreement.

 

Discussions ensued and Councillor Thomas noted his agreement and emphasised the important point that they are replenished going forward.

 

o   Council Priorities

 

The Service Director informed Members that the Council focuses on five key areas to maximise resources and deliver improved services:

 

·       Digitalisation;

·       Commercialism;

·       Early Intervention;

·       Independence; and,

·       Efficient and Effective Organisation

 

Members agreed that the Council should continue to focus on these five areas going forward.

 

In terms of Council investment priorities, Members agreed that the Council should continue to invest in he areas listed in the slides.

 

o   Corporate Plan

 

Members noted their agreement with the Corporate plan and noted their agreement with the Council’s priorities in line wit the Well-being of Future Generations Act.

 

o   Council Tax Reduction Scheme

 

§  Extended Payments:

 

Committee Members agreed that 4 weeks was a reasonable period to continue paying Council Tax Reduction when someone returns to work.

The Chair queried whether Committee Members could receive the Council Tax revenue by communities and the breakdown in communities where above £14,500 are receiving partial benefit or full benefit. The Service Director advised that the Council Tax revenue is by award basis but he advised that he would check with the Council Tax department as to what information is available. The Chair emphasised the importance of receiving the information by ward. Councillor Cullwick queried whether there would be a security issue in releasing that information, however, the Chair emphasised the use of the information in allowing Members to review the Council’s performance.

 

§  Disregard War Disablement Pensions/War Widow’s Pensions income

 

Members noted their agreement that it is reasonable for the Council to continue to totally exclude War Disablement and War Widow’s Pensions income when assessing entitlement to the CTR Scheme.

 

o   Backdating Claims

 

Members agreed that 6 months is a reasonable period to backdate clais for working age and pensioners.

 

Following discussion, Members RESOLVED that the views of Members as outlined above be fed into the consultation process.