Agenda item
Consultation on Corporate Services Budget and Draft Savings 2020/21
- Meeting of Special Budget, Cabinet Scrutiny Committee, Wednesday, 29th January, 2020 10.30 am (Item 2.)
- View the declarations of interest for item 2.
Report of the Director of Finance and Corporate
Services
Minutes:
An
overview was received on the Corporate Services Budget and Draft Savings
2020/2021, as detailed in the circulated report.
Policy
and Democratic Services.
Members
were reminded that the budget savings in the Policy and Democratic Services
division had been agreed in the 2019/20 budget and no new proposals were
included. The committee asked for a progress update and were pleased to note
that officers were confident that the savings would be delivered and were in
progress.
There
had been a slight delay in implementing the savings identified in CORP903 due
to the problems experienced with the implementation of the online bus pass
applications by Welsh Government and a revised plan will be reported back to
Cabinet in early 2020. Members were pleased to note there had been no further
surges in demand for bus pass renewal but stated their disappointment that
incorrect information had been provided by Transport for Wales in relation to
bus pass renewal and praised the Council staff for how they had dealt with the
situation.
The
committee noted that in relation to CORP905 market testing was currently
ongoing to check demand and income assumptions in relation to CCTV and that the
business case for a revised service would be brought to Cabinet later in the
year. It was noted that there is a significant benefit to the criminal justice
system from CCTV and that discussions were ongoing with South Wales Police in
relation to their financial contribution to the service.
Legal
Services.
The
committee commented on the staff reductions in CORP 1001/1002/1003 in that the
Council is having to do more with less people as resources continue to reduce.
Members were concerned that as the pressure on staff increases, rates of stress
related sickness absence could rise.
Members
asked if there was an option for income generation by hiring out the Council’s
legal expertise. It was explained that there are legal rules that we must
comply with and which specify who we can do work for and also Law Society rules
and limits and due to issues of conflict the ability to do so was limited.
Human
Resources.
Members
noted that in relation to CORP1007/1008 digital technology has led to reduced
demand for transactional role requirements.
A
discussion was held on the role of seconded Trade Union Officers. It was stated
that there is a legal obligation to allow reasonable time off for Trade Union
duties and with a workforce the size of the Council it is more practicable to
have seconded officers. Members recognised the social partnership relationship
with the Unions and agreed that the investment in these roles is valid.
Members
queried the HR presence in schools and were assured that the service is
provided in schools to the level required.
Finance.
Members
queried the £190k saving identified in CORP1006 for staffing reductions and
asked for further information. It was explained that this equated to 3 posts
which had been vacant for 18 months together with a further 2 voluntary
redundancies that will happen in 2020/21 and the decision had been made to
remove the posts permanently from the staffing structure.
Central
Savings.
Members
were assured that the Capital Programme can be delivered effectively by
removing the 500k as stated in OTH1001 with no impact to service or delivery.
Following
consideration of the Integrated Impact Assessments included within the report,
Members were reminded that their comments from this meeting would form part of
the formal consultation response for the Budget 2020/21. They were asked that
if they had any other proposals for budget savings not included within the
attached report that they approach officers for their consideration.
Supporting documents: