Agenda item

Budget Presentation

Minutes:

The Head of Financial Services gave a presentation with updated information on the Medium Term Financial Plan (Revenue Budgets) for 2009/10 to 2011/12, including the proposed pressures and savings and the Capital Programme.

It was explained that the Budget linked to the Council’s Priorities, as agreed earlier in the year, and officers had also consulted a small cross section of the public which was called a ‘Budget Jury’.

Several questions were raised during and after the presentation with ensuing discussions. Items raised included: car parking charges; neighbourhood wardens; town centre redevelopment; community transport; CCTV; Street Scene vehicle replacement; chargeable green waste service; collection of Business Rates; spatial project savings; Monitoring Officer investigations; Equality and Diversity Forum bids; Customer Service Centre (CSC); Assistant’s Chief Executive’s team, including Improvement Manager; Basement Project and Foyer Scheme; consultants; and smoke free post.

There was a particular concern regarding the car parking charges. It was understood that the budget proposals suggested car parking charges would not be increased in 2009/10 and 2010/11. However, it was believed that having smaller annual increases at approximately the rate of inflation (2.5%) would be a better option than no increase followed by a high increase in future years. It was also noted that the same view was put forward by the Budget Jury.

With regard to car parking, questions were also raised regarding whether neighbouring areas, such as Kidderminster, had also seen a drop in car parking receipts.

It was explained that it was proposed that Neighbourhood Wardens would be increased by one rather than two posts in the proposed budget.

There was a brief discussion relating to the community transport bid and it was stated that this related to a recommendation put forward by the Public Transport (Buses) Task Group after consulting the Equality and Diversity Forum.

It was noted that there was funding within the Capital Programme to replace CCTV equipment. This led to a brief discussion on the effectiveness of CCTV in other areas and the possibility of removing CCTV equipment in Worcester City. It was believed that in Bromsgrove District, there was evidence to suggest that there had been a significant reduction in anti-social behaviour. However, it was suggested that West Mercia Police benefited from CCTV and therefore could be requested to make a financial contribution.

With regard to Street Scene Vehicle Replacement Programme, there was some concern that it included the green waste collections which would be a chargeable service from 2009/10. Therefore, it was believed that these should be separated as the new annual charge should cover the future cost of the service.

There was some confusion in relation to percentage of funds that were required for green waste, residual and recycling and it was requested that this be clarified. In relation to information on the chargeable green waste service next year, the Board was informed that the Head of Street Scene and Community had called a meeting for the following day to ensure all households in the District received the necessary information. It was suggested that such information should be given to the Parish Councils direct.

It was understood that the Council Tax level had been calculated to be 4.45% increase per annum and it was questioned whether it might be appropriate to raise this to 4.95%.

It was pointed out that the Spatial Project savings had been realised and built into the base budget and therefore had not been included as additional savings.

Officers confirmed that although there were issues with the Dolphin Centre in relation to transferring to a Trust, savings had been made via staff realignment and income from the new fitness suite and it was anticipated that further savings could be made over a 5 year period.

The Chairman questioned the new bids ‘Disability Group and Finding a Voice’, ‘Self Advocacy’ and ‘Fun Farm Day’. Members were informed that these bids originated from the Equality and Diversity Forum and that the ‘Fun Farm Day’ bid had since been withdrawn. It was suggested by the Chairman that the County Council could be requested to assist with the relatively small amount of funds required.

It was confirmed that although Worcestershire County Council had withdrawn staffing from the Customer Service Centre, due to 90% of queries relating to the District Council, the funding had been reinvested into the Worcestershire Hub.

There was some confusion between the Basement Project and the Foyer Scheme and it was explained that the Basement Project generally dealt with the prevention of youth homelessness whereas the Foyer Scheme worked with a select group of young people who had been made homeless.

The Executive Director – Partnerships and Projects explained that in relation to the Museum, there were financial implications attached to all closure options.

Questions were raised regarding the new bid for Consultants relating to examination in public (EIP) for 2009/10. The Executive Director – Partnerships and Projects understood Members’ concerns and agreed that the typical daily fee of approximately £1000 was very high. However, it was explained that the EIP funds relating to the use of consultants were for plans such as the Core Strategy and the town centre. The relevant legislation dictated that for a plan had to have the necessary Development Plan Document (DPD) status, it must go through an EIP. Nevertheless, officers agreed to investigate this further and report back to the Board.

Finally, the Head of Financial Services was thanked for her informative presentation.

RESOLVED:

(a) that the Head of Street Scene and Community be requested to provide further information on the percentage of funding required for residual, green waste and recycling elements of the service;

(b) that the Head of Street Scene and Community be requested to ensure information on the chargeable green waste service is given to the Parish Councils as well as all households within the District;

(c) that the Executive Director – Partnerships and Projects be requested to investigate further the reasons for the £100K bid for 2009/10 for Consultants in relation to EIP (Examination in Public); and

(d) that the presentation and report be noted.

RECOMMENDED:

(a) that a rise in car parking charges, at approximately the rate of inflation, be included in all years for the Medium Term Financial Plan for 2009/10 to 2011/2012 (as supported by the Budget Jury);

(b) that Worcestershire County Council be approached for funding towards the new bids ‘Disability Group and Finding a Voice’ and ‘Self Advocacy;

(d) that West Mercia Police be requested to consider making a financial contribution towards the replacement of CCTV equipment; and

(e) that the Cabinet consider ensuring all funding relating to the chargeable green waste collections is separate to the funding required for the refuse and recycling collection service.

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