Issue - meetings

Review of Parish Services Scheme

Meeting: 14/11/2017 - Communities, Housing and Environment Committee (Item 68)

68 Review of Parish Services Scheme pdf icon PDF 77 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Finance and Business Improvement which related to the Parish Services Scheme.

 

It was noted that a review of the Parish Services Scheme had taken place this year and a consultation had been undertaken with the parishes during July, August and September.  The survey form had been sent to the Clerks and Chairs of each Parish Council.

 

The Committee was informed that the only change proposed by the Council to the Scheme was an additional aim, namely to recognise the financial constraints faced by the Borough Council.  In view of this the Director of Finance and Business Improvement felt it was appropriate to explore ways in which expenditure on the Parish Services Scheme could be reduced whilst continuing to serve its overall objectives.

 

The changes proposed were as follows:-

 

·  Grounds maintenance would be recalculated based on a current standard amount per hectare of open space and would be reviewed annually in line with the Council’s overall grounds maintenance budget.

·  The analysis of survey returns did not show that small parishes incurred significantly higher costs per unit of population on the services covered by the PSS.  It was therefore considered that the Small Size Allowance be removed for future years.

·  The War Memorials grant would be retained at the same fixed amount as in 2017/18.

·  There was some disparity around the number of notice boards in each parish.  Therefore it was considered that there was no merit in paying a regular annual amount for notice boards if they are only renewed after a number of years.  Hence it was proposed that the grant for notice boards be withdrawn and that a central fund of a fixed amount from which parishes could apply for a grant as and when notice boards needed replacement be established.

·  The Play Areas grant would in future be a fixed amount to cover basis compliance costs (e.g. quarterly inspection) for strategic play areas.  The cost of replacement equipment would be covered by a one-off grant for strategic play areas across the borough.

·  The Churchyards grant would be retained at the same fixed amount as in 2017/18.

In response to questions raised by Members, the Director of Finance and Business Improvement advised:-

 

·  That the survey was sent to Parish Clerks and Chairmen.

·  That the notes of the last Parish Liaison Meeting would be available shortly.

RESOLVED:

1.  That the outcomes of the review of the Parish Services Scheme be
  noted.

2.  That consideration of Recommendations 2 and 3 of the report of the
  Director of Finance and Business Improvement be deferred until
  after the Parish Liaison Meeting in January when the
  representatives would have had an opportunity to be properly
  consulted.

Voting:  For:  2  Against:  1  Abstentions:  5