Resolved:  That all items on the agenda be web-cast.

There were none.

There were no substitute Members.

It was noted that Councillor Warner was a Visiting Member.

a)  Disclosures of interest.

b)  Disclosures of lobbying.

c)  Disclosures of whipping.

There were none.

Resolved:  That all items be taken in public as proposed.

Resolved:  That the minutes of the meeting held on 2 November 2010 be agreed as a correct record and duly signed by the Chairman.

Interview with Neil Harris, Head of Democratic Services.

The Chairman welcomed Neil Harris, Head of Democratic Services to the meeting.

Mr Harris Mr Harris indicated that the report before Members outlined the options that would enable the independents to have a place on scrutiny committees. The Committee stated that they were concerned that by changing the number of seats to allow the Independent Group a right to vote, this would potentially change because of change in the number of Members in this group.

The Committee noted that the Independent Group were able to attend Committees as visiting Members. In response to a question the Head of Democratic Services stated that he was reviewing all the Council Committees, Sub-Committees, Advisory Committees and Groups.

Resolved:  That the Head of Democratic Services be thanked for his work and it be recommended that the Overview and Scrutiny Committees continue as they are, with the Independent Group attending as visiting Members until the  review of Committee’s has been completed.

Interview with Councillor Christopher Garland, Leader of the Council.

Resolved: That Agenda Item 9, Interview with the Leader of the Council – mid year progress be removed as the topic was covered by items 10 and 11 on the agenda.

Interview with:

·  Councillor Christopher Garland, Leader of the Council; and

·  Paul Riley, Head of Customer Services and Finance.

The Chairman welcomed Councillor Garland, Leader of the Council, Alison Broom, Chief Executive and Paul Riley, Head of Finance and Customer Services to the meeting.

Councillor Garland summarised the Budget Strategy , highlighting that the revenue support grant from Government had been cut by 16.8% and nearly 5 million pounds worth of savings was required over the next four years.

He informed the Committee that with regards to the capital programme, there was no borrowing required for the next financial year, however it was not set in stone. The Council would need a flexible approach to the capital programme in particular as funding was from the sale of assets.

Mr Riley, Head of Finance and Customer Services gave a presentation to the Committee on the budget strategy 2011 onwards (attached at Appendix A).

In answer to a question, Mrs Broom informed the Committee that the government proposed a national policy to change the housing and council tax benefit parameters, whilst reducing the housing and council tax benefit grant by over £1m for the Council. Councillor Garland highlighted that the changes allowed each Council to determine its own local approach to housing benefit and council tax discounts this would in turn have an impact on the other authorities funded through the council tax including Kent County Council. Any discount or benefit applied would affect the amount they were given. The Council would favour a Kent wide system for council tax discount.

Mr Riley informed the Committee that provisions were being made to ensure that the delivery of the 4year budget strategy was achieved, not just planned. The Committee sought reassurance that the Council was looking ahead to identify new funding streams and ensuring that it remained fit for purpose in terms of its structure.  The Chief Executive explained that as part of the Strategic Plan they had introduced service design principles which set out new ways of working. The Head of Change and Scrutiny informed the Committee that the Council was undertaking a project to look at localism in Maidstone and a budget had been set aside for this in 2011-12.

The Leader stated that they would be lobbying for non-domestic rates income for Maidstone to be given directly to the Council, as presently whilst they were collected by the Council they were re-distributed at a national level by the Government as part of the Revenue Support Grant.

In answer to a question, Mr Riley confirmed that the concurrent functions budget will be reduced in 2011/12 by 30%.

Mr Riley explained the increase in council tax that is included in the revenue budget over the four year budget strategy. This had been calculated to include the cumulative effect of the freeze on council tax for one year and then an annual increase of 2.5%, as well as an increase in the tax base.  The Committee asked if council tax and domestic rates collection was performing well and whether the staffing was sufficient.  Mr Riley stated that the staffing was appropriate as  ...  view the full minutes text for item 85.

Interview with:

·  Councillor Christopher Garland, Leader of the Council;

·  Alison Broom, Chief Executive; and

·  Angela Woodhouse, Head of Change and Scrutiny.

The Leader of the Council introduced the Draft Strategic Plan 2011-15 to the Committee, it was highlighted that the Council had sort to reduce its priorities and reduced the number of actions and performance indicators in the plan.   

The Committee noted that this was an improvement from the previous Strategic Plan, however they expressed concern that the plan should strike a better balance between rural and urban communities. The Head of Change and Scrutiny agreed that the plan would be amended to ensure rural communities were fully included. The Chairman requested that the Plan reflect the high quality environment already present and the need to protect and enhance this.

Resolved:  That more emphasis be placed on the rural communities, and that the plan reflects the need to protect and enhance the Borough’s environment.

Interview with Brian Parsons, Head of Audit Partnership

The Chairman welcomed Brian Parsons, Head of the Audit Partnership to the meeting and asked if there was anything that the Committee should be particularly concerned with regard to the Strategic Risk Register.

The Committee was informed that the register was completely aligned with the strategic plan, once the Strategic Plan had been agreed, risks would be assigned to officers to create action plans.

Resolved:  That the Strategic Risk Register and action plans be reviewed once the Strategic Plan has been approved.

The Committee considered the future work programme, it was noted that the completed Customer Service Review Report and the national changes proposed to Housing Benefits will be considered at the next meeting. It was agreed that the decision on the removal of dairies be deferred to the next meeting.

Resolved:  That subject to the addition of Member Diaries to the February meeting the work programme be noted.

6.30pm to 9.27pm