Pre-decision Scrutiny
·
To select appropriate items from the Cabinet agenda for pre-decision
scrutiny (cabinet reports enclosed for Scrutiny Members)
Decision:
Outlook
Following
scrutiny, the recommendations were supported to Cabinet.
Remembrance
Parades - Neath and Port Talbot
Following scrutiny, the
recommendations were supported to Cabinet.
Culture and Destination
Strategies
Following scrutiny, the recommendations
were supported to Cabinet.
Heritage
Strategy
Following
scrutiny, the recommendations were supported to Cabinet.
Quarter 1 - Revenue Budget
Monitoring
Following scrutiny, the
recommendations were supported to Cabinet.
Quarter 1 - Capital Budget
Monitoring
Following scrutiny, the
recommendations were supported to Cabinet.
Quarter
1 - Performance Indicators - 23/24
Following
scrutiny, the report was noted.
Compliments
and Complaints Annual Report 2022-2023
Following
scrutiny, the report was noted.
Minutes:
Outlook
Members
considered the report as circulated within the supplement pack.
The
Chief Executive confirmed that the purpose of the report is to provide a
detailed picture of the current position of the Council, in terms of funding
and the increase on demand in services of the authority.
Members
were updated with the inflation figures, which reflects how volatile the
current financial situation across the country is. Whilst current financial
planning takes into account a range of possible scenarios, the authority are
currently working with a 3.1% settlement figure. However, this is subject to
change.
The
panel outlined in the report, if agreed, will operate in addition to the other
mechanisms that take place. It will be used to assist in the shaping and
development of the authority’s policies and services moving forward.
Officers
confirmed due to the limited time at the end of the budget setting process, and
the size of the budget gap that the authority will be facing, it is likely that
proposals which will require policy change or service decisions will be brought
forward earlier. This will mean that the scrutiny committees will have sight of
proposals earlier and allow for a contribution when proposals for the ensuing
year are being shaped.
Following
scrutiny, the recommendations were supported to Cabinet.
Remembrance
Parades - Neath and Port Talbot
Members considered the report
as circulated within the agenda pack.
Members queried the breakdown
of the cost for the events. Officers confirmed the majority of the costs
related to the closure of the highway, together with some costs for first aid
provision and marshalling of the event. Moving forward, officers confirmed that
authority staff would be trained in traffic management plans this would assist
with reducing future costs of the event.
Members expressed their
concern that the funding was allocated for the events at the two towns and the
valley communities were not included within this item. Members asked for wider
consideration for future events. Officers advised that the reason for the focus
on the two towns related to the feedback that was received last year when the
parades were unable to take place. The veteran’s communities, particularly, in
these areas were distressed by being unable to march last year. Approaches have
not been made by any other part of the Borough, and the authority are not aware
of any other parade that are struggling.
The Chief Executive confirmed
that she has requested a review of events and festivals across the borough.
It was confirmed that the
costs for 2023 would be coming from general reserves.
Following scrutiny, the
recommendations were supported to Cabinet.
Culture and Destination
Strategies
Members considered the report
as circulated within the agenda pack and the strategies circulated within the
supplement pack.
Members considered the
culture strategy in relation to sport and were pleased to see that that the
strategy identified commissioning a sport facilities need assessment. This
should include the tenure of sports facilities and also the sustainability of
the facilities.
Members queried how ... view the full minutes text for item 5