Agenda item

The Service Lead, Finance explained that an overview of the Revenue Budget had been provided in the presentation considered at the beginning of the meeting.

The Chair then invited Members to comment and ask questions.

During the course of the discussion, the following points were raised:

·  A Member asked if the Council Tax increase of 1.84% was in-line with other neighbouring authorities.  It was confirmed that the increase was comparable.

·  In relation to the Adult Social Care information presented, a Member requested that in future reports, the statistical information presented be accompanied by a narrative explanation to provide context.  It was noted that the report presented to Council on 20th February 2020 would include full details; and it was agreed that these details would be provided in future reports to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. 

·  A Member asked what controls were in place to ensure the Council met its Council Tax collection targets.  It was explained that the collection of Business Rates and Council Tax had recently been brought back in-house, having previously been contracted externally to Arvato.  Now that the collection of Council Tax was being managed internally, officers were able to exert greater influence and controls to minimise risk.

The Chair then invited Councillor Strutton to address the Committee under Rule 30.

Councillor Strutton sought clarification regarding the use of the Adult Social Care precept, and asked if the money was ring-fenced solely for Adult Social Care or if it was subsumed into the Council’s general budget.

The Director of Finance and Resources confirmed that the precept was used exclusively to fund Adult Social Care, and as the responsible officer, he signed and submitted an annual statement to Government declaring how the resources had been used.

Councillor Strutton queried the proposed savings generated by the in-house delivery of services previously contracted to Arvato.  In addition, he asked if there were still plans to let the fourth floor of Observatory House, as originally planned, to ensure the purchase of the building was cost neutral.

The Director of Finance and Resources explained that the Council had made a significant saving, as it was no longer paying for the use of Phoenix House, the premises Arvato had previously occupied.

The Chair thanked the Service Lead, Finance and the Director of Finance and Resources for the report and presentation.

Resolved –

(a)  That in future Revenue Budget reports presented to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, statistical information be accompanied by a narrative explanation.

(b)  That the Revenue Budget 2020/21 be noted.

(c)  That it was noted that the Revenue Budget 2020/21 would be considered by Cabinet on 3rd February 2020, prior to it being recommended to Council on 20th February 2020.