Agenda and minutes

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at the meeting.

NOTED that the meeting was recorded for future broadcasting on the Council’s website.

NOTED that Parent Governor Co-Opted Members were unable to attend daytime meetings.

An apology for lateness was received from Councillor Joseph Ejiofor.

Please note that under the Council’s Constitution – Part 4 Section B paragraph 17 – no other business shall be considered.

There was no urgent business.

A member with a personal interest in a matter who attends a meeting of the authority at which the matter is considered must disclose to that meeting the existence and nature of that interest at the commencement of that consideration, or when the interest becomes apparent.

A member with a personal interest in a matter also has a prejudicial interest in that matter if the interest is one which a member of the public with knowledge of the relevant facts would reasonably regard as so significant that it is likely to prejudice the member's judgment of the public interest and if this interest affects their financial position or the financial position of a person or body as described in paragraph 8 of the Code of Conduct and/or if it relates to the determining of any approval, consent, licence, permission or registration in relation to them or any person or body described in paragraph 8 of the Code of Conduct.

There were no declarations of interest.

To consider any requests received in accordance with Part 4, Section B, paragraph 29 of the Council’s constitution.

There were no such items.

To approve the minutes of the Budget Scrutiny meeting held on 5^th January 2011 (attached) and 17^th January 2011 (tabled).

The minutes of the previous Budget Scrutiny meetings held on 5^th and 17^th January 2011 would be approved at a future meeting.

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.