Agenda and minutes

To note the names of apologies given and deputy members who are attending the meeting in place of appointed members.

Apologies for the meeting were noted as above.

To receive any disclosure of interests from Members and Officers in matters to be discussed.

Note:  Councillors are reminded of their obligations to declare disclosable pecuniary interests, personal and/or prejudicial interests in accordance with legislation and the Council’s Code of Conduct.      

If you require advice, please contact the appropriate Democratic Services Officer, prior to the meeting.

No declarations were made.

The Chairperson advised that councillors Weir, Clear and herself had met to determine a way forward for the scrutiny of local mental health services. A draft of the work programme request form would be circulated to the committee.

That the minutes of the meeting be signed as a correct record.

Councillor Bronk had previously advised officers of six minor typographical and grammatical amendments to the previous minutes which were noted.

RESOLVED:

That subject to the inclusion of the amendments referred to above, the minutes of the previous meeting held on the 2 July 2020 be approved and adopted.

To receive and note questions asked and statements made from members of the public on matters which fall within the remit of the Committee.

Members of the public and visiting councillors may speak at Scrutiny, provided they have registered to speak three working days in advance. Please contact Democratic Services by 5pm on Tuesday 1^st September via democracy@winchester.gov.uk or (01962) 848 264 to register to speak and for further details.

No comments or questions were made during public participation.

Report references SC030 and CAB3253.

Report ref SC030 and CAB3253

The deputy leader and cabinet member for finance and risk introduced the report which was being presented to cabinet on the 16 September 2020. The report requested permission to undertake statutory consultation with the public and the major precepting authorities in respect of proposed changes to the city council’s council tax reduction scheme. These changes would take effect from 1st April 2021.  It was recommended that scrutiny committee comment on the proposals within the report.

The committee asked questions and raised comments which were responded to by officers and the deputy leader accordingly. The committee agreed to pass comments to cabinet as set out below.

RESOLVED:

At the conclusion of questions and debate, the committee agreed to pass the following points to cabinet.

1.    that a review of the amended scheme be undertaken in the new year after a period of implementation, if changes are approved following the consultation

2.    that the consultation document be reviewed to ensure that it is clear, and if possible, trialled before large scale circulation

Report references SC034 and CAB3256.

Report ref SC034 and CAB3256

The deputy leader and cabinet member for finance and risk introduced the report which was being presented to cabinet on the 16 September 2020.  The report proposed a revised budget to address the £5.1m deficit and to ensure that the council could balance the general fund budget by March 2021. It was recommended that scrutiny committee comment on the proposals within the report.

The committee asked questions and raised comments which were responded to by officers by the cabinet member for housing and asset management and the deputy leader accordingly. At the conclusion of questions and debate, it was noted that a range of views had been expressed and that not all members of the committee supported the recommendations within the report. It was requested that officers give further consideration of whether restricted reserves and in particular Community Infrastructure Levy funding could be considered as part of the capital programme.

 RESOLVED:

1.    that the comments of the committee are noted.

2.    that officers give further consideration of whether restricted reserves and in particular Community Infrastructure Levy funding could be considered as part of the capital programme.

Report references SC032

Report ref SC032

The cabinet member for service quality and transformation introduced the report. The report requested the committee approve the Terms of Reference as shown in Appendix A in order to establish the “Performance Panel” as a member’s panel. The role of the panel would be to scrutinise the quarterly performance and financial monitoring reports on behalf of the scrutiny committee.

The committee asked questions and raised comments which were responded to by officers and the cabinet member accordingly. At the conclusion of questions and debate, the committee agreed to the following points:

1.    that the panel should be formed from members of the scrutiny committee including deputy members

2.    that no strict quorum requirements exist for the panel

3.    that panel meetings be open to all members to view

RESOLVED:

1.    The committee agreed the proposed Terms of Reference set out in appendix A (subject to minor grammatical changes)

2.    That the following members of the scrutiny committee form the panel: councillors Horrill (chairperson), Bronk, Craske, Godfrey, and Power

Report references SC035 and CAB3252

Report SC035 and CAB3252.

The earlier report on this meeting’s agenda, ref SC032 established the performance panel in order to scrutinise the quarterly performance reports. Therefore it was agreed that the report, ref CAB 3252 be referred to that panel.

Report reference SC033.

Report SCO33

RESOLVED:

That councillor Hiscock be appointed as the main member and councillor Clear as the reserve member to the Partnership for South Hampshire Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

The latest version of the work programme was noted.

The forward play of key decisions for September 2020 was noted.