To receive any apologies of absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Carroll, McWilliams and Quick.  Councillor L Evans reported that she would be late.

Resolved unanimously: that Councillor C Rayner be appointed as Chairman and that Councillor Burbage be appointed Vice-Chairman.

To receive any declarations of interest.

Councillor Burbage declared a personal interest in item 9 as he was familiar with the applicant.  As this was not a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest he stayed and considered the item.

To approve the Part I minutes of the meeting held on 21 April 2016.

The Part I minutes of the meeting held on 21^st April 2016 were approved as a true and correct record.

To comment on the Cabinet report.

The Panel considered the latest Financial Update report that was due to go to Cabinet on 30^th June 2016.  The report stated an overspend of £163,000, accompanied by a clear determination by officers to mitigate the overspend in coming months. Reserves were £1m above the required minimum.

Members were informed that the main reasons for the overspend came from pressure on Home to School Transport, agency costs in health, early help and safeguarding and care for vulnerable adults. It was also highlighted that there had been additional changes to the approved budget due to Council’s decision to revise Sunday parking charges.  It was noted that there had been no variances to the Capital Programme.

Cllr Burbage mentioned that for Adult and Children’s services mitigating actions were being taken for the overspend but it did not mention how much.  The Panel were informed that a £68k underspend had been reported and that further mitigating actions would be undertaken.

Cllr Burbage also questioned why there was no mention of the H&M costs in the report and for clarification on the pension costs.  The Panel were informed that the H&M agreement was made last year with funding from capital and thus not in the revenue report.  The pension payment was due to a redundancy and the requirement to pay pension contributions.

Councillor Jones asked if known risks were reflected in the accounts and was informed that known risks were identified as part of the budget build process and a minimum level of reserves reflected these risks.  With regards to Stafferton Way this was in last years accounts and Legoland would appear in this years accounts when the final costs were set.  The Panel recommended that a Part II section be added to the report detailing liabilities.

Councillor Jones raised concern that agency staffing had been a problem over the last three years and that she was worried about the costs and the additional pressure being placed on the workforce due to vacant positions.    She also mentioned that the problem with agency staff was in part a problem of the administrations own making when they changed the terms and conditions for social workers.  Cllr Burbage informed that at the time the rates were competitive but over time there has become a national issue of more demand then supply.

The Corporate Services O&S Panel considered the report and unanimously agreed with the recommendations being made to Cabinet.  The Panel also recommend that Cabinet:

·         A Part II section be added to the report detailing known liabilities / risks such as Legoland appeal costs.

·         The H&M costs should be added to the report.

·         A note be added to the report regarding mitigating actions and risks for the £163K projected overspend.

·         The officers name in section 4.4 regarding pension costs be removed.

·         Section 4.5, Capital Programme, comparative outturns from previous reporting cycles be added to the report.

To consider passing the following resolution:-

“That under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting whilst discussion takes place on item 9 on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1-7 of part I of Schedule 12A of the Act"

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local

Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting whilst discussion takes place on items 8-9 on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1-7 of part I of Schedule 12A of the Act.

To approve the Part II minutes of the meeting held on 21^st April 2016.

To comment on the Cabinet report.

To comment on the Cabinet report.