Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber - Port Talbot Civic Centre. View directions

Items
No. Item

1.

Member's Declaration of Interest

Minutes:

The following Member made a declaration of Interest at the commencement of the meeting:-

 

Councillor M Harvey                Re the report of the Corporate Directors’ Group in relation to the Budget Proposals for 2018/19 as it relates to CCTV as he works for the South Wales Police.

2.

Budget Proposals for 2018/19

Minutes:

Committee received the report of the Corporate Directors’ Group on the Budget Proposals for 2018/19.  Members noted that the report had been updated as a result of additional monies received from Welsh Government.  In addition the Director of Finance and Corporate Services advised that Welsh Government had given a 2 year indicative budget, with a further -1% for 2019/20.  Also more of the specific grants were now included in the settlement.

 

Members then made the following comments:-

 

·        The low increase in the Authority’s Council Tax (3.7%) was welcomed.

·        ELL802  Celtic Leisure savings - The reduction in savings from £100k to £50k was raised and Members were advised that the Sports Council for Wales was out for consultation in relation to the Swimming Grant and that should this be cut it would impact on Celtic Leisure.  In relation to the Aberafan Seafront as a whole the Chief Executive advised that the area had seen an increase in the number of visitors and that it was necessary to maintain this going forward.  The Pontardawe Swimming Pool, run by Celtic Leisure, needed investment as the pool was old and needed upgrading.   The situation in relation to Celtic Leisure would continue to be monitored closely.

·        The proposal to retain the free Christmas parking was supported, however Members felt that the £3.50 charge at the Gnoll Country Park could result in indiscriminate parking outside nearby houses and the possibility that emergency services would be prevented from accessing. Members asked whether consideration could be given to placing double yellow lines on nearby streets and to increase policing by the Authority.  Officers advised that the proposals would result in an additional income of £30k and that the charges would also cover events at the Park.  In addition Members were reminded that income generation would play an increasing part in setting the budget going forward.  Officers would look at ways of reducing/eliminating the potential problem of off street parking. Some Members felt that, in relation to the parking charges at the Gnoll, the cost of a season ticket of £52 was good value at an average cost of £1 per week. 

·        Members asked whether the 2018/19 pay award for staff had been finalised and were advised that the Trade Unions were currently consulting their Membership.  It was anticipated that the Trade Unions would respond in March.

·        The report referred to ‘savings and efficiencies’, some Members felt that these should be referred to as ‘cuts’, in order to highlight to members of the public the year on year financial pressures on the Authority by Welsh Government.  The Director of Finance and Corporate Services agreed that going forward the definitions should change to either ‘cuts’ or ‘income generation’ as appropriate.

·        In relation to the delegation of Fees and Charges to Corporate Directors, some Members were not happy with this proposal.  The Director however advised that this had been a longstanding recommendation, to assist in the operational issues around services particularly where notice of increases needed to be given.

·        Members  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

3.

Capital Programme 2018/19 to 2020/21

Minutes:

Members considered the report of the Head of Financial Services in relation to the above and were pleased with the work carried out to date and to the funding accessed.

 

Members noted, in particular, the progress of the Neath Town Centre Regeneration Project.

 

Following scrutiny, the Committee was supportive of the proposal to be considered by Cabinet.

4.

Treasury Management Strategy, Annual Investment Strategy and Minimum Revenue Provision Policy

Minutes:

Committee received the report of the Director of Finance and Corporate Services in relation to the above.  Members asked how accurate were the Authority’s Consultants, Link Asset Services, in relation to the creditworthiness information it provided and were advised that the information provided was useful to the Authority, with good short term predictions. 

 

Following scrutiny, the Committee was supportive of the proposals to be considered by Cabinet