Minutes:
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 Planning Department has
not got an overspend, it is the amount of money that is owed through the
collection of fees that is represented in the report
Members
queried the overspend in Elderly Services – residential care – external
provision and highlighted that it works out roughly £10,000 per each elderly
person and asked whether this was an unexpected overspend in that period.
Officers highlighted that there was an increase in people that went in to
elderly residential care which accounts for the overspend
Following
scrutiny, the Committee was supportive of the proposal to be considered by the
Cabinet Board.
2.3 Capital Programme Outturn 2017-18
Members
received information on the financial outturn position for the Capital
Programme for 2017/18 as contained within the circulated report.
Members
asked whether Officers feel confident that the opening of new schools will stay
on budget. Officers highlighted that 50% of the funding for new schools has
come from Welsh Government, however the Authority has also had to match fund
50% but Officers reassured members that grant will be secure.
Members
asked for an update on the progress of the former Metal Box site. Officers
stated that work was ongoing with the solicitors, but that there were no
updates to raise at this point. The Ward Members thanked Officers for their
continual updates on the Metal Box.
Following
scrutiny, the Committee was supportive of the proposal to be considered by the
Cabinet Board.