Agenda and draft minutes

The Committee noted the Forward Work Programme.

The Committee chose to scrutinise the following Cabinet items:

Cabinet Proposals

2.1     Annual Governance Statement 2017/2018

Members received an update on the Council’s Annual Governance Statement 2017/18 as contained within the circulated report.

Members highlighted that the Annual Governance Statement, refers to ‘Openness’ and Members asked whether that meant an ‘open door policy’ or transparency. Officer’s highlighted that it referred to transparency, Members therefore asked for the word openness be changed to transparency in the Annual Governance Statement.

Members stated that the Consultation Pages were not available via the front page of the Neath Port Talbot website and agreed that they should be easily accessed. Officers committed to looking into the issue.

Members noted that the improvement work identified following the development of the Annual Governance Statement is overseen by and progress reported to Audit Committee. Members asked when the Audit Committee would have sight of this and Officers highlighted that it would be included in the Statement of Accounts.

Members highlighted that within the Annual Governance Statement there is a section relating to the Welsh Language Standards and they asked whether the work and findings of the Welsh Language Promotion Strategy Task and Finish Group should be included in this section. Officers responded that the main focus has been the progress of work undertaken in 2016/17, however will be amended to include some wording around the Task and Finish Group

Members asked whether the Corporate Risk Policy had been scrutinised. Officers highlighted that it would be going to the Audit Committee in June 2018.

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

2.2     Revenue Outturn and Reserves Position Statement 2017/18

Members received information in relation to the Council’s General Fund Revenue Outturn and Reserves position for the 2017/18 financial year as contained within the circulated report.

Members asked for information on the reserves Members stated that some areas require additional money to be spent however the budget isn’t available but could existing reserves. It was highlighted that there is detailed information on where reserves are spent in Appendix 2 of the report.

Members asked for more detail to be included on point 3.4 of the circulated report in relation to school reserves. Officers explained that information is presented at Education, Skills and Culture Scrutiny Committee and it is within the remit of that committee to scrutinise school reserves in detail.

Members queried the overspend in the internal fostering service for two Looked After Children, and queried whether the amount was high. Officers highlighted that the cost is not just for the two children but includes other associated costs.

Members queried the underspend within the Adoption Service. Officers highlighted that there were less children placed in adoption which required less money.

Member’s queried the overspend in ‘Other Community Care – Direct Payments, Third Sector’. Officers highlighted that there has been an increase in people applying for direct payments that was not anticipated.

The Chair of Planning highlighted to the Committee that the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.