To receive declarations of personal and prejudicial interest (if any) from Members/Officers in accordance with the provisions of the Members Code of Conduct adopted by Council from 1 September 2008 (including whipping declarations)

Councillor C Webster declared a personal interest in agenda item 4 – Medium Term Financial Strategy 2019-20 to 2022-23 as she had a child in

secondary education in the County Borough who was in receipt of home to school transport.

To receive for approval the minutes of 06/11/2018

RESOLVED:           That the minutes of the meeting of the 6 November     2018 be approved as a true and accurate record.     

Invitees:

All Cabinet Members

All CMB

Zak Shell, Head of Neighbourhood Services

Nicola Echanis, Head of Education and Family Support

Jackie Davies, Head of Adult Social Care

Laura Kinsey, Head of Childrens Social Care

Neil Clode, Headteacher, Llangewydd Primary School

Hannah Castle, Headteacher, Cynffig Comprehensive School

All Subject Overview and Scrutiny Committee 1 Members

All Subject Overview and Scrutiny Committee 2 Members

All Subject Overview and Scrutiny Committee 3 Members

The Interim Head of Finance and Section 151 Officer presented the draft Medium Term Financial Strategy 2019-20 to 2022-23 for Members to consider the information contained in the report and determine comments or recommendations for consolidation and inclusion in the report to Cabinet as part of the budget consultation process. She added that on 19 December 2018 the final settlement would be available but in the meantime she was asking the Committee to prioritise proposed reductions, consider changes to the Council Tax or to proceed with the reductions detailed in the report.

The Chairperson invited the Chairperson of SOSC3, Cllr J Spanswick for comments on table 7 of the report, the Draft Revenue Budget 2019-20. He explained that he was frustrated by the disparity of cuts. He disagreed with the budget pressure item relating to Rights of Way and the proposals relating to further reductions to other cleaning services (COM41 and COM41a) which would result in the service becoming purely reactive. This would result in many complaints not being addressed and referrals not being actioned. An alternative to this could be increasing charges. He would like to see any additional funding used to reduce cuts to outdoor leisure facilities and play areas and for these services to be protected from here on in.

The Corporate Director Communities explained that the level of cuts was a political decision based on priorities and it was inevitable that some services would face larger cuts than others. Some savings could be achieved through smarter ways of working but in other areas cuts would have to be made. There would be an impact on street cleansing but the impact could be mitigated by working closely with Town and Community Councils.

The Head of Neighbourhood Services explained that the budget pressure relating to “Rights of Way- Statutory duty to undertake the first decennial review of the Council’s Rights of Way Improvement Plan by October 2019” was because there had been substantial cuts in that area leaving a small team with a large workload. It was unrealistic to expect that team to complete the work required to apply for funding and if that work was not completed they could lose out on future funding.

A Member asked for the headline results for this directorate from the consultation. The Interim Head of Finance and Section 151 Officer explained that she did not have the findings in total but she could give a brief outline.

·      50% of respondents felt that cultural services could be reduced.

·      60% stated that they would be willing to pay more to access sports facilities, pavilions and parks.

·      79% of respondents stated that Blue Badge holders should pay for parking.

·      48% of respondents believed that the council should explore the option of charging for shop mobility.

·      42% of respondents disagreed with the proposal to remove subsidies from bus services.

·      46% agreed the bus station should be closed to make budget savings.

·      53% were willing to pay £20 for three bulky item collection.

·      The most popular  ...  view the full minutes text for item 94.

The Scrutiny Officer presented the feedback from previous meetings and the Committee noted the information including any responses still outstanding.

Members suggested prioritising items for committees one month in advance to take into account any late items that could arise. The Scrutiny Officer explained that officers required more notice to prepare reports and suggested that 2 months would be easier to work with.

Members requested that when the CAMHS item was considered, the Chairperson of Bridgend Community Health Council should be invited to attend.  The Scrutiny Officer explained that the review of the Fostering Project was already being scrutinised by other bodies and that it should be retained on the forward work programme as an information item.

• Members requested that when the CAMHS item was considered, the Chairperson of Bridgend Community Health Council should be invited to attend;
• Members agreed to receive the review of the Fostering Project as information only as it was to be discussed at Corporate Parenting on 10 January 2019.

The Committee confirmed the following items for the Subject Overview and Scrutiny Committee Forward Work Programme:

24 January 2019          SOSC 3           Revised CAT Process

29 January 2019          SOSC 2           Direct Payment Scheme

30 January 2019          SOSC 1           Education Outcomes

26 February 2019         SOSC 3           Empty Properties

28 February 2019         SOSC 1           Supported People Programme Grant

27 March 2019 SOSC 2           CAMHS

To consider any item(s) of business in respect of which notice has been given in

accordance with Part 4 (paragraph 4) of the Council Procedure Rules and which the person presiding at the meeting is of the opinion should by reason of special circumstances be transacted at the meeting as a matter of urgency.

None