MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE HELD AT COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON WEDNESDAY, 9 SEPTEMBER 2004 COMMENCING AT 10.00 AM

 

Present :

 

Mrs M J Lloyd (Chairman), Mrs D Gardiner, Mr C R Hancock, Mr J F Howe, Miss H L Humby (deputising for Mr V J Morey), Mr I R Stephens

 

Apologies :

 

                        Mr V J Morey, Mr G P Price

 

Also present (non-voting) :

 

                        Mr A C Bartlett

 

 


7.                  MINUTES

 

The Minutes of the meeting held on 8 July 2004 were confirmed.

 

8.                  DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

 

There were no declarations at this stage.

 

9.                  URGENT BUSINESS – MEMBERSHIP OF THE COMMITTEE

 

The Head of Select Committee and Best Value Support reported that Mr R A Sutton had resigned from the Committee. This resulted in there being two vacancies, both allocated to the Conservative Group.

 

10.              CONSIDERATION OF SERVICE PLANS

 

The Head of Select Committee and Best Value Support reported on the need to formulate a common approach by Select Committees to the consideration of 2005/06 Service Plans. He referred to the approach taken in 2003 and the lessons that had been learnt about achieving a balance between ensuring that all appropriate key details were made available and not inundating members with masses of paper.

 

A revised Service Plan format had been introduced. The basis for the changes was explained and that some amendment to Plans might be required after February 2005 when the Council’s budget had been agreed. Members noted that the three corporate priorities for which specific service provision had to be identified related to E-Government; Diversity and People Management.

 

The Committee believed that thought should be given to Service Plans being for a 3 to 5 year period so that more sustainable service delivery could be achieved. It was also important to link Select Committees workplans with aspects of Service Plans. Improvement Plans would need to be monitored and this could be undertaken in conjunction with the Quarterly Performance Management Report.

 

In debating the role of Select Committees in Service Plans it was accepted that it would be inappropriate for these to be considered in their entirety. To enable members to focus on the strategic issues the information contained in the sections relating to Priorities for the Annual Action Statement; Contribution towards Corporate Priorities; Budget Bids and Risk Management should be presented to Select Committees.

 

ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY PORTFOLIO HOLDERS, HEADS OF SERVICE AND SELECT COMMITTEE SUPPORT

 

Each Select Committee to examine the Service Plans within their remit with an emphasis on the details relating to Priorities for the Annual Action Statement; Contribution towards Corporate Priorities; Budget Bids and Risk Management.

 

ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY PORTFOLIO HOLDERS AND HEAD OF CORPORATE POLICY AND COMMUNICATIONS

 

An update on progress made with Improvement Plans contained within Service Plans be included as part of the Quarterly Performance Management Review process.

 

11.              BUDGET 2005/06

 

The Chief Financial Officer gave an oral update on the Council’s budget position for 2005/06. The original forecasted target of a 5% Council tax increase, requiring savings of £3m to be identified , was now in doubt. The Government had indicated that funding for preserved rights cases involving the care of the elderly would be transferred from specific social services grant to RSG. Therefore instead of this being a needs based assessment it would be a formula based grant. It was estimated that this would result in a loss of £1m to the Council.  This, together with some other adjustments, gave a target figure of £4.5m to be identified if a 5% Council tax increase was to be achieved.

 

Members were made aware that Heads of Service had been successful in identifying savings of £1.9m to date. It was proposed that a joint meeting between the Co-ordinating Committee and the Executive would take place in the near future so that a number of issues could be discussed including the 2005/06 budget.

 

The role of Select Committees in the budget process was debated. The Committee considered that it would be inappropriate for Select Committees to be actively involved in identifying savings. The Select Committees could assist in the identification of creative ways of delivering services more effectively and efficiently or challenge Portfolio Holders on budget proposals where these appeared to seriously affect the delivery of the Council’s Corporate Objectives.

 

Discussion took place on the 2001 Census Data not being used by the Government in calculating RSG. This appeared to be due to proposals by the Government to undertake a fundamental review of the funding formula. The CCN had raised concerns on behalf of Local Authorities. A number of affected Authorities were compiling a case to be presented to the Government on its decision to amend the funding of preserved rights. Members debated the Council’s approach to lobbying Government Ministers and the involvement of the Island’s Member of Parliament.

 

The Co-ordinating Committee raised the additional responsibilities being placed on the Council arising from maters such as Health Scrutiny and Liquor Licensing for which no additional grant aid was forthcoming from the Government. Legislation had also recently been passed enabling Council’s to trade and set up arms length companies.

 

It was intended that the Executive would be meeting informally with the Co-ordinating Committee on the 2005-06 Budget. This would enable the Co-ordinating Committee to establish any arrangements for Select Committee consideration of the budget and no action was required at this stage.

 

12.              SELECT COMMITTEE REVIEWS – WORKPLAN 2004-05

 

The Head of Select Committee and Best Value Support reported on the review work arising from Select Committees workplans together with achieving the Council’s Corporate Objectives and Priority Improvement Areas. Members were made aware of the scope of the major review on Transport and the key issues that had been identified within this.

 

13.              CALENDAR OF MEETINGS FOR 2005

 

The Co-ordinating Committee considered the draft calendar of meetings for Select Committees for 2005. This was based on the current pattern. Members were reminded that the dates need not necessarily be for formal meetings but also for briefings, training sessions or visits. The dates from June 2005 onwards were provisional and dependant upon any changes arising from the Council elections in May 2005.

 

ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY SELECT COMMITTEE SUPPORT

 

The calendar of meetings for 2005 be adopted.

 

 

 

CHAIRMAN