Issue - meetings

To consider the recommendations from the meetings of the Cabinet held on 3rd December 2014 and 7th January 2015

The full Cabinet reports are enclosed for information as part of the Council agenda book.

From Cabinet on 3rd December 2014 (Recommendations attached)

·         Finance Monitoring Report  - Quarter 2

·         Environmental Services Transformation and Shared Services Restructure Business Case (background papers for this item are within the confidential section of the Council agenda book)

From Cabinet on 7th January 2015 (Recommendations to follow)

·         Council Tax Support Scheme

·         Council Tax Base

·         New Homes Bonus

·         Medium Term Financial Plan – Parish Grant

·         Car Parking Charges  - Evening Parking

(i)         Finance Monitoring – Quarter 2 2014/15

The recommendation from the Cabinet was proposed by Councillor M. J. A. Webb and seconded by Councillor M. A. Bullivant.

In proposing the recommendation Councillor Webb referred to the need to draw down from the Business Transformation Earmarked Reserve, the sum of £90,000 to meet the cost of works required to meet new guidelines in respect of the  Public Service Network (PSN). All Councils were required to meet the new guidelines from Central Government.

During the debate Members raised a number of queries regarding the Council’s expenditure to date to meet the requirements of the PSN, including the purchase of iPads and the necessary licences for the use of Members.  A number of Members expressed the view that the iPads may not be providing value for money because of restrictions on their use and queried whether the decisions taken had achieved the best solutions.

Reference was made to the trial use of the iPads which had been undertaken by a number of Members and which had appeared to be satisfactory. However, the solution introduced  because of the need for additional security in line with the PSN requirements, was less effective in the view of some Councillors. It was suggested that additional information was required before the Council agreed to the expenditure of £90,000.

Following discussion it was

RESOLVED that the sum of £90,000 be drawn down from a Business Transformation earmarked reserve to be utilised to help meet the capital costs of compliance with the Public Services Network Project. 

(ii)        Environmental Services Transformation and Shared Services Businesses Case

The Chairman stated that this recommendation would be considered at the end of the meeting as it was likely reference would be made to confidential or exempt matters.