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 T Beedle declared a personal interest in agenda item 4 – Medium Term Financial Strategy 2018-19 to 2021-22 as a member of the Bridgend County Allotment Association and Secretary of Bronfair Allotments, Maesteg

Councillor G Thomas declared a personal interest in agenda item 4 – Medium Term Financial Strategy 2018-19 to 2021-22 as he is an allotment holder at Bryncethin.  

The Scrutiny Officer reported on items which had been prioritised by the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee which included the next item delegated to this Committee to consider.  She also presented a list of further potential items for comment and prioritisation requested the Committee identify any further items for consideration using the pre-determined criteria form.

Conclusions

1. That the Committee identified additional information it wished to receive on their next delegated item to them in the Forward Work Programme (FWP) and determined that it wished to invite the Corporate Director Communities, Group Manager Property and Community Asset Transfer Officer and representatives of Pencoed Town Council and the Awen Cultural Trust to attend to assist in their investigation of Community Asset Transfer; 

2. That an officer of RCT Council be invited to attend for the item on Empty Housing.  Committee considered the completed criteria form and determined that it wished to add to the Forward Work Programme the budgetary impact of Parc Prison on the Council; 

3.    That the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee be requested to prioritise 5 items from the FWP and one Committee slot be kept free for the time being; 

Invitees:

Mark Shephard – Corporate Director Communities

Zak Shell – Head of Streetscene

Satwant Pryce – Head of Regeneration, Development and Property Services

Cllr Richard Young – Cabinet Members Communities

Cllr Charles Smith – Cabinet Member Education and Regeneration

The Scrutiny Officer introduced a report, the purpose of which was to present the draft Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) 2018-19 to 2021-22, which set out the spending priorities of the Council, key investment objectives and budget areas targeted for necessary savings.  It also included a financial forecast for 2018-22 and a detailed draft revenue budget for 2018-19.

The Corporate Director Communities set out the context for the budget proposals, which was set against a background of seven consecutive years of austerity measures and diminishing resources, which had seen budgets being cut by 35% - 40% in some services. 

The Committee commented on what seemed to be a lack of a one Council approach taken to the budget process.  The Corporate Director Communities commented that a one Council approach is taken and that the ambition of Corporate Management Board is to find savings across the authority which does not impact directly on the public.  Discussions had taken place with Cabinet on budget reductions on the basis of the least agreed corporate priorities. 

The Committee requested clarification of the percentage of budget reductions in the Communities Directorate compared to the other Directorates.  The Cabinet Member Communities commented that the Communities Directorate has had to make 6.4% budget reductions compared to budget reductions of 1% each to be made in the Social Services & Wellbeing and Education & Family Support Directorates.  He stated that the Communities Directorate had to make budget reductions over the past 7 years which were disproportionate compared to the other Directorates.  He also stated that it was never palatable to make budget reductions as many of the reductions in the Communities Directorate are visible.  The Head of Regeneration, Development and Property Services informed the Committee that the Communities Directorate that certain areas had been earmarked for budget reductions and that the Communities Directorate had areas which were not regarded corporately as priority.  She also informed the Committee that budget reductions in Economic Development and Regeneration had amounted to 37%.

The Committee commented that the services provided by the Communities Directorate are visible to the public and that other services in the authority also need to take a share of the budget reductions.  The Committee expressed concern that reductions are being made to economic development at a time when inward investment should be encouraged in order to generate revenue.  The Committee also considered that the Council should look to increase charges in order to make revenue through pursuing development opportunities and not by selling assets.  The Committee commented that the Council has a corporate priority to support the local economy and by making budget reductions to the Communities Directorate could deter investment in the area. 

The Committee congratulated the Directorate in establishing the new post of Empty Property Officer to bring properties back into beneficial use. 

The Committee asked whether other Directorates are forced to look for budget reductions of the magnitude in the Communities Directorate and that Members ultimately have the ability to decide on the budget.  The Cabinet Member  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

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.

There were no urgent items.