Agenda and minutes
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Contact: Della McCarthy
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Apologies for absence Minutes: Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mrs. M. Bunker and Dr. G. H. Lord. |
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Declarations of Interest Minutes: No declarations of interest or whipping arrangements were made. |
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Minutes: The minutes of the joint meeting of the Overview Board and Scrutiny Board held on 2nd December 2008 were submitted.
With regard to the new bid for Consultants relating examination in public (EIP) for 2009/10 (discussed at the previous meeting), the Chairman asked for the reasons why the Council were considering using consultants with a high daily fee of approximately £1000. The Head of Financial Services explained that the Council had no choice as the relevant regulations stipulated “the standard daily amount prescribed under section 303A(5) of the Town and County Planning Act 1990 is…in relation to examinations opening on or after 31st March 2008, £993”. It was reported that guidance received stated such examinations would take between 80 and 120 days and therefore officers had estimated it would take 100 days. (Copies of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 extracts were made available if required.)
RESOLVED that the minutes be approved as a correct record. |
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Medium Term Financial Plan for 2009/10-2011/12 Additional documents: Minutes: The Head of Financial Services, Ms. J. Pickering, provided Members with an update on the current position of the Medium Term Financial Plan (revenue and capital budgets) for 2009/10 to 2011/12, including the proposed pressures and savings.
It was stated that in relation to section 7 of the report “Fees and Charges”, the wording in paragraph 7.1 would be amended to reflect how VAT savings would be passed on to the customer in terms of car parking charges. It was also clarified that only those bids prioritised as “high” would receive funding if approved.
A number of questions were raised, particularly regarding the new bids listed in Appendix A including the Customer Service Centre (CSC) staffing issue, Climate Change Strategy, Project Support, Community Transport, Improvement Manager and Civil Parking Enforcement.
In relation to the new bid for Community Transport, it was clarified that there was a detailed business case and that the wording in Appendix A would therefore be updated.
Questions were also raised in relation to the replacement of CCTV equipment listed under Appendix D. With regards to funding, it was clarified that the District Council covered all costs, however, a formal letter had been sent to West Mercia Police requesting financial assistance.
The Chairman informed the Board that he understood that the Leader would propose to the Cabinet that the two additional Local Neighbourhood Partnerships (Hagley and Charford) receive the full amount of funding for 2009/10 of £5000 per Councillor instead of a total of £4000 for the area, as stated in the current draft budget.
RESOLVED that the report on the Medium Term Financial Plan be noted. |