Agenda and draft minutes

To receive any apologies for absence and notices of appointment of substitute Members (if any).

Apologies were received from Cllr Mrs M E Squires.

Councillors are reminded of the requirement to declare any interest, including the type of interest, and reason for that interest, either at this stage of the meeting or as soon as they become aware of that interest.

There were no declarations of interest made.

To receive any questions relating to items on the Agenda from members of the public and replies thereto.

Note:   A maximum of 30 minutes is allowed for this item.

There were no members of the public present.

Members to consider whether to approve the minutes of the last meeting of the Group held on 10^th December 2019 as a correct record.

The Group is reminded that only those members of the Group present at the previous meeting should vote and, in doing so, should be influenced only by seeking to ensure that the minutes are an accurate record.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 10^th December 2019 were approved as a correct record and SIGNED by the Chairman.

To receive any announcements that the Chairman may wish to make.

The Chairman had no announcement to make.

To review the revised draft budget changes identified and discuss any further changes required in order for the Council to move towards a balanced budget for 2020/2021.

The Group had before it the *draft budget report from the Deputy Chief Executive (S151).

The Principal Accountant explained that the budget gap was currently calculated at £234k and that it had risen due to the changes to the car parking charges proposals made by the Cabinet which would see a £57k reduction in projected income.

He gave further detail on the following:

·         Budget proposals for 2020/2021 and the Capital Programme

·         Advance payment of the next 3 years pension deficit

·         The revised Medium Term Plan

·         The proposed revision of the minimum General Reserves (General Fund) limit to £2m

The Group gave consideration to the following:

·         Clarification required of the flower beds to be removed

·         The reduction of income due to the changes to the car parking charges in Tiverton and how the income was to be replaced

·         Clarification of the how the reduction in the public convenience budget was to be achieved

·         Clarification of the proposals for bin empting on the Canal

The Group discussed the removal of the weed team and it was explained that the Homes PDG had made a recommendation to the Cabinet that the weed team be retained. The Group AGREED to endorse the recommendation of the Homes PDG.

(Proposed by Cllr Mrs C P Daw and seconded by Cllr L Cruwys)

Note: *draft budget report previously circulated and attached to the minutes.

To consider a verbal report from the Group Manager for Finance presenting the financial monitoring information for the income and expenditure to date.

The Group had before it and NOTED the *Financial Monitoring report presented by the Principal Accountant giving an overview of the income and expenditure to November 2019 and explained.

He explained that the variance had moved £148k and was now £243k in November.

He gave the Group an overview of the main areas of movement between the October and November monitoring reports and consideration was given to:

·         Revenues and Benefits – Housing Benefit overpayments recovery

·         Planning – Income was less than forecast in this demand lead services

·         NNDR – Business Rates were lower than forecast following successful appeals.

Note: *Financial Monitoring report previously circulated and attached to the minutes

Group to receive a verbal update from the Leisure Manager on the solutions and initial costings to provide private showering facilities at Lords Meadow Leisure Centre.

Following a request at the previous meeting for information, the Leisure Manager explained to the Group that the poolside communal changing block at Lords Meadow Leisure Centre had been updated and additional signage had been installed which informed users who was permitted to use the facilities.

He informed the Group that sliding shower screens could be installed at the cost of circa £500 and that the budget would be found through the Property Services Budget.

Members to note that the following items have been identified for future meetings:

·         Grant payments to external organisations (the strategic grants review process)

·         Community Safety Partnership

·         Financial Monitoring

·         Performance & Risk

·         Chairman’s annual report

Note: This item is limited to 10 minutes.  There should be no discussion on the items raised.

Members requested that the Leisure Manager provide details of the business case for the spread of classes across different demographics in his 6 monthly update in June 2020.