Pre-Scrutiny
Minutes:
The Committee scrutinised the
following matters:-
Cabinet Board Proposals
2.1 Revenue Budget Monitoring
Report
Members received the monitoring report and
scrutinised expenditure against the agreed budget position.
Members asked for an explanation of the £313k
overspend on Home to School Transport. Officers explained that there are
additional demands on the service which are causing an increase in costs,
particularly the junior apprenticeship programme.
Members asked for an explanation of the School
Meals overspend. Officers explained that the budget included a saving to be
achieved by applying a different pay scale to various roles, however, as there
had been a delay in the implementation of the change, the saving will not be
delivered in full during 2018/19.
Members asked for the detail of the changes to care
packages within domiciliary care. Officers explained that there had been a
review of the care packages to ensure that they reflected current needs. As a
result of the review process, care packages had been reduced, producing a cost
saving. It was noted that the target
budget saving this year is £2.5m and includes other measures as well as reviews
of care packages.
Following scrutiny, the Committee was supportive of
the proposals to be considered by the Cabinet.
2.2 Capital Budget Monitoring
Members received information in relation to the
delivery of the 2018/19 Capital Programme.
Following scrutiny, the Committee was supportive of
the proposals to be considered by the Cabinet.
2.3 Draft Budget for Consultation 2019/2020
Members
were provided with information on the draft budget proposals which included
proposed financial savings, service reductions and income generation for
2019/20 and beyond.
It
was noted that following approval, there was proposed to be a public
consultation exercise which will end on 11th January 2019. Responses to the
consultation will be considered and where considered appropriate, proposals
will be amended prior to Council being invited to set a balanced budget for
2019/20 in February 2019.
The
Committee made a number of points on the Provisional Settlement and agreed that
the Director of Finance be invited to prepare a response to the Welsh Government
taking account of the comments raised by the Scrutiny Members.
The Director of Finance verbally updated Members on
the implications of the Chancellor’s recent Statement. It was noted that
Government had announced and additional £120 million for Wales. Initially
assessments by the WLGA suggests that there could potentially be an increase of
£55-60 million for local government, however, Welsh Government have indicated
that there are other pressures that may be a call on the additional funding.
The Director of Finance highlighted that it was
proposed to use some general reserves to achieve a balanced budget position in
2019-20 this is a departure from the strategy adopted in previous years which
underlines the impact of the Provisional Settlement on the Council’s operation.
Members noted that if it is agreed to use £4 million of the general reserves it
would be difficult to replenish those reserves.
Members thanked the Director of Finance for clarifying the various issues ... view the full minutes text for item 2