Issue - meetings

To consider phase 2 savings proposals for 2011/12 to 2013/14. 

The Committee received and discussed the responses to the advance questions submitted, and made the following observations:

Re: Q1 – LDMS – Restructure of the whole Business Unit

The Committee requested details of the number of posts within the Local Democracy & Member Services team (Action No. 167).

Re: Q6.1 – Legal Staff in Children’s Services

In response to the rising cost of legal services the Committee requested a briefing note on what was being done to drive costs down and a breakdown of how money was spent in the service (Action No. 167.1). 

Re: Q6 – Children & Families - Transport

The Committee expressed specific concern about the impact of the removal of this service and noted the Lead Finance Officer’s comments that the Council would be funding transport out of the increase in the DSG budget (Appendix 9.1) – rather than from the general fund.

Re: Q7 & 8 – Benefits & Local Taxation – Customer Services – Closure of Hornsey and North Tottenham CSC

Concern that the proposals to close the customer services centres (CSCs) could result in ineffective services was raised and that they might not meet the needs required in different areas of the Borough.  The Leader recognised that there was a different balance of issues raised by residents at different CSCs.  It was noted that the cost of running the North Tottenham Centre was lower than other Centres but aspects such as transport links and potential disposal of the building were taken into account.  Details of the cost of the South Tottenham CSC were requested (Action No. 167.2).

Re: Q8 – Communications – Marcoms

The Committee requested to be sent the publicity plan when it was available.

Re: Q12 – IT – Infrastructure – renewal from borrowing

In response to question the Chief Financial Officer stated that cost of the current IT infrastructure had been written off and that more information on the saving of this write-off and the value of the renewed infrastructure would be provided to the Committee.  It was noted that joint systems with Homes for Haringey might be required but this would be reviewed as the IT infrastructure proposal moved forward (Action No. 167.3).

Re: Q14 – Recreation Services – Review resourcing of Parkforce Activities

The Committee requested details on the exact effects of this proposal would be on the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers (BTCV) and what the Council currently paid for and what the Council intended to pay for under the budget cutting proposal (Action No. 167.4).

The Committee asked for a composite figure for the total amount of cuts on the voluntary sector and the percentage of the Councils grants to the voluntary sector that are to be cut.  Members felt it would be useful to have a list of the items and amounts within the two budget documents (Appendix 6.1 and 6.2) which affect the voluntary sector.

Re: Q22 - Benefits and Local Taxation (BLT)- HB overpayment recovery

The Committee were dubious that savings of this level  ...  view the full minutes text for item 167