Issue - meetings

An opportunity for the Committee to question Councillor Adje on his Cabinet portfolio.

Councillor Adje, Cabinet Member for Finance and Strategic Regeneration, responded to questions from the Committee:

a.    The Cabinet Member noted that his main concerns were to ensure there was adequate funding for services to be provided for the people of the Borough, to ensure the Borough was secure, and that there was a balanced budget. 

b.    In terms of the Council’s finances, the Cabinet Member noted that everything was being done to ensure the Council had a balanced budget. Regarding the expected position of the Council’s finances in 2022, the Cabinet Member foresaw the Council’s finances being in a balanced position.

c.    Regarding possible virements to high road works, the Cabinet Member explained that if the fund was ring-fenced then it would be difficult to vire the funds; however, if a case was made where there was a grant that was not ring-fenced, then it would be looked at whether that could be used to assist.

d.    In terms of whether the budget was aligned with the manifesto, the Cabinet Member acknowledged that the two were aligned and were reflected in the Council’s Borough Plan.

e.    Regarding a query on funding for a nursery, the Cabinet Member advised that normally the school would have a maintenance budget, and if the maintenance had not been dealt with or there were insufficient funds, then the teacher or the finance subgroup of the governing body needed to raise the issues to the Governors, and also appeal to the Director and Cabinet Member on how the service could assist. In terms of the repairs for the nursery, it was advised that an analysis of the repairs needed to be made and a business case prepared. The Chair suggested that the issues with the nursery could be picked up and discussed at the Children’s and Young People’s Scrutiny Panel, especially around budgeting. (Action: Cllr Dogan).  

f.     In terms of making Council Tax fairer, the Cabinet Member referred to the CTRS, which was part of the Borough Plan. Regarding raising funds, the Cabinet Member explained that the Council had to collect funds from small business through business rates, however, to assist small businesses, the Council provided a three-month discount or rent-free period when businesses started. The Cabinet Member understood that Council Tax payment was difficult for some people and highlighted that everything was being done to apply discounts for residents who were unable to meet their needs, for instance there were single persons discounts to assist those that lived alone. He noted that Council Tax was a statutory payment, and therefore, the Council had a responsibility to collect the money, and in some cases, bailiffs were used as enforcement.

g.    Regarding a query on invest to save proposals in other portfolios, the Cabinet Member clarified that the term ‘invest to save’ should not be used loosely. Although there would be an input into the service, there would also be revenue costs, therefore consideration need to be made of whether there would be a yield on  ...  view the full minutes text for item 45