Agenda item

Budget report and Service Plans 2018/19 - 2021/22

Essential Reference Paper “F” (Fees and Charges will be made available at the meeting)

Minutes:

The Head of Strategic Finance and Property submitted a report detailing a number of recommendations for submission to the Executive in relation to the Medium Term Financial Plan 2018/19 – 2021/22, the 2017/18 - 2021/22 Capital Programme and the 2018/19 Schedule of Charges.  Essential Reference Paper “F” was circulated to Members.  She referred to the supporting information within the Essential Reference Papers, now detailed.  The Head of Strategic Finance and Property provided an overview of the report which she explained, took a prudent approach to the budget, taking into account known pressures and risks but was also forward looking.

Councillor J Wyllie was concerned about proposed changes to the New Home Bonus (NHB) and the recommendation to remove this from the General Fund over the life of the MTFP.  Members felt that this was unfair to many towns and parishes affected by increased housing developments (particularly Bishop’s Stortford) including the impact this would have on the environment and services.   Members generally were concerned that there was no process or protocols proposed for the allocation of NHB funding following the changes.  Members felt that commitments already made should receive the NHB but that measures should be put in place for future housing developments.  

 

The Head of Strategic Finance and Property explained that the money would not be taken away but there would just be a different way of allocating funding and its distribution.  The NHB would be held in reserve and used for infrastructure  purposes that towns and parishes would be able to bid for. 

 

Councillor J Wyllie explained that the wording of the recommendation needed rephrasing and a process established for NHB and its distribution.  He stated that current commitments should be honoured but that a process be established affecting future developments.  This view was supported.  Councillor P Boylan stated that the suggested arbitrary removal of the NHB was unfair and that a decision to withdraw should not be made until further information was made available.  This was supported. 

 

The Committee Chairman referred to a letter he had received from the Parish Clerk of Thundridge expressing concern about a reduction in the New Homes Bonus allocation.  The Head of Strategic Finance and Property stated that under the new proposals, the Parish Council would have to make an application for future funding.  Councillor A Alder suggested that Town and Parishes should be given a better steer on how much they might receive. 

 

The Head of Strategic Finance and Property commented that NHB should not be included in any revenue budgets as this could be removed at any time by the Government. 

 

Councillor N Symonds and P Ballam both acknowledged the vital and important work undertaken by PCSOs in town and rural areas and expressed concern about the proposed £43k savings in 2018/19.  Members asked that a decision on this issue be deferred and that assurances be sought from the Police Crime Commissioner (PCC) that the Police would fund these posts before any decision was made to remove funding.  The Head of Strategic Finance and Property undertook to liaise with the PCC on this issue.

 

Councillor L Radford sought and was provided with clarification in relation to the Hydro Scheme.

 

The Head of Strategic Finance and Property referred to Essential Paper “F” which set out the impact of proposed increased fees and charges of 2.5% and 5%.  Members supported a 5% increase in Fees and Charges. 

 

Members reviewed the Service Plans as detailed within Essential Reference Paper “G” and queried issues in relation to:

 

·        The time taken to processing benefit claims (9.44 calendar days).

·        Ensuring the Council fulfils its safeguarding responsibilities.

·        Effective Building Control Service and the measures to be developed.  Concerns raised regarding the deadline.

·        Scotts Grotto and the transfer of the Asset.

·        The co-ordination and promotion of the arts and cultural offer in East Herts.

·        Trade waste recycling - an update was requested from the Head of Health and Housing regarding a “roll out” date.

·        Integrating first points of contact for Operations, Planning, revenues and Benefits in a single customer services team.

·        Launch Pad and its progress.

·        The use of social media and the need to get more people to attend other Council meetings (other than Development Management).

·        An explanation of SOCITM as an means of empirical measurement.

·        The accommodation review of Wallfields, Hertford.

 

The Committee agreed to recommend to the Executive that a decision to remove NHB be deferred until a process for its distribution was established (notwithstanding any current commitments) and that the Executive be requested to review the NHB in more detail to ensure a fair process for its allocation. 

 

The Committee also agreed that a decision on the proposed £43k savings in relation to PCSOs be deferred and that assurances be sought from the Police Crime Commissioner that the Police would fund these posts before any decision was made to remove funding. 

 

Members received the report and made the recommendations to the Executive now detailed.

 

RESOLVED – that the Executive be advised that (A) the draft service plans for 2018/19 be adopted;

 

(B)   the Council’s share of Council Tax for Band D property at £164.09 be approved;

 

(C)   the updated position, including the significant budget pressures and risks on the Medium Term Financial Plan and Budget for 2018/19 be noted;

 

(D)   the decision to remove the NHB be deferred until a process for its distribution is established (notwithstanding any current commitments) and that the Executive be requested to review the NHB in more detail to ensure a fair process for its allocations;

 

(E)   the new savings in 2018/19 as detailed within Essential Reference Paper “B” be approved with the exception of the savings proposed in relation to PCSOs until further information is received from the Police Crime Commissioner regarding who will provide funding;

 

(F)   the Head of Strategic Finance and Property be authorised to lead on a process to investigate and implement the projects set out within Essential Reference Paper “C” with an investment pot of £200,000 for “invest to save” projects (i.e. those which will pay back and ultimately create a revenue saving);

 

(G)   the Capital Programme as set out in Essential Reference Paper “E” be approved; and

 

(H)    the schedule of charges as detailed in Essential Reference Paper “F” (with an overall increase of 5% for 2018/19) be approved.

Supporting documents: