Agenda and minutes

To approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 11 July 2019.

The minutes were confirmed and signed as a correct record.

Members are requested to declare the existence and nature of any disclosable pecuniary interest and/or other interest in any item on the agenda.

Councillors D Bagshaw, S Bagshaw, P M Owen, P D Simpson and E Williamson declared non-pecuniary interests in item 8 due to being members of a Parish Council. Minute number 24 refers.

5 September 2019

Extending the Benefits of Economic Growth from HS2 to the North of Broxtowe

RECOMMENDED to the Finance and Resources Committee that the projects set out in paragraph 1 (a) and (b) be funded using ITPS funding for the North of Broxtowe.

5 September 2019

Extending the Benefits of Economic Growth from HS2 to the North of Broxtowe

The Committee considered the commissioning of an engineering study demonstrating how a tram extension from the Toton HS2 hub station to Langley Mill and Kimberley could be reliably delivered.

RESOLVED that the projects set out in paragraph 1 (a) and (b) be funded using ITPS funding for the North of Broxtowe, pending the outcome of the Oakley report.

18 September 2019

Rentsense Software - Contract Extension

The confidential report is included at item 18.

RECOMMENDED to the Finance and Resources Committee that an exemption from Section 5.3 of the Council’s Financial Regulations (Contracts) to allow the purchase of a License to use the Rentsense software from Mobysoft to March 2022 without the requirement to obtain at least three quotations be approved.

18 September 2019

Rentsense Software - Contract Extension

The Committee considered the contract extension for the Rentsense software.

RESOLVED that an exemption from Section 5.3 of the Council’s Financial Regulations (Contracts) to allow the purchase of a License to use the Rentsense software from Mobysoft to March 2022 without the requirement to obtain at least three quotations be approved.

19 September 2019

Dog Fouling

At its meeting on 6 June 2019, the Committee received a report on dog fouling and the relevant controls which are in place. A request was made to ascertain details of signage and further information in respect of dog fouling in parks and open spaces in addition to relevant signage was provided.

RECOMMENDED to the Finance and Resources Committee that signage be provided in parks and open spaces where none currently exists and that signage be replaced as necessary.

19 September 2019

Dog Fouling

The Committee considered the commissioning of additional signage in the Borough in relation to dog fouling.

RESOLVED that signage be provided in parks and open spaces where none currently exists and that signage be replaced as necessary.

To report upon capital expenditure incurred in 2019/20 up to 31 August 2019 along with the planned financing of the 2019/20 capital programme and to seek approval for a number of capital budget variations in the current financial year.

The Committee received a report on the expenditure incurred in 2019/20. The 2019/20 capital programme includes schemes totalling £1,805,350 that were carried forward from 2018/19.

RESOLVED that the capital budget variations for 2019/20 as set out in appendix 3 be approved.

To seek approval for a number of amendments to the General Fund revenue budget for 2019/20.

The Committee considered the amendments to the General Fund revenue budget for 2019/20.

RESOLVED that:

1.       The amendments to the General Fund 2019/20 revenue budget as set out in appendices 1 and 2 be approved.

2.      Responsibility be delegated to the Deputy Chief Executive as the Council’s Brexit Lead Officer to incur expenditure on Brexit related activities as appropriate after consulting with the Chair and Vice Chair of the Committee.

To consider requests for grant aid in accordance with the provisions of the Council’s Grant Aid Policy.

The Committee considered the requests for grant aid in accordance with the provisions of the Council’s Grant Aid Policy. The Committee expressed concern that the request of £3000 made by the Beeston and District Local History Society was too large of an increase from the £1000 requested in 2018/19.

RESOLVED that the applications be dealt with as follows:

To consider requests for grant assistance in accordance with the protocol for the consideration of grant aid to parish and town councils.

The Committee considered the requests for grant assistance in accordance with the protocol for the consideration of grant aid to parish and town councils.

          RESOLVED that the grant aid requests be approved.

To seek approval to undertake feasibility work on the Housing Revenue Account owned sites being considered for new build housing.

The Committee received a report on the proposal to undertake feasibility work on sites being considered for new build housing funded by the Housing Revenue Account.      It was proposed that an initial sum of £200,000 be allocated in the 2019/20 capital programme for feasibility costs to initiate new build housing schemes as set out in the Housing Delivery Plan.

RESOLVED that £200,000 be allocated in the 2019/20 Programme for new build housing feasibility costs to be funded from HRA capital receipts.

To provide the Committee with details of section 106 funds that are presently available and their intended use.

`           The Committee noted the section 106 funds that are presently available and their intended use.

To present an update on the Council’s medium term financial strategy and to highlight progress with the delivery of the Business Strategy.

The Committee were updated on the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy and the progress with the delivery of the Business Strategy. It was noted that there was an underspend of £430,219 on the General Fund revenue budget in 2018/19.

RESOLVED that the updated Medium Term Financial Strategy in appendix 2 be approved.

To advise the Committee on the budget consultation process for 2020/21 and to set out the proposed timetable and budget scrutiny process.

The Committee were advised of the budget consultation process for 2020/21. For 2020/21, a similar budget consultation process was proposed to that adopted for 2019/20 using a web-based survey, publicised through social media. The Committee raised concern that responses to the budget consultations have been historically low.

RESOLVED that:

1.   The budget-setting process for 2020/21 be approved.

2. The Budget Consultation questionnaire be approved.

To seek approval to appoint external specialist solicitors and counsel to help progress this Council’s compensation claim against Nottingham City Council.

The Committee considered the proposal to appoint external an specialist solicitors and counsel to help progress this Council’s compensation claim against Nottingham City Council.

RESOLVED that the allocation of £25,000 from General Fund reserves to cover the cost of appointing specialist external solicitors and counsel be approved.

To report progress against outcome targets identified in the Business Plans for support services areas, linked to Corporate Plan priorities and objectives, and to provide an update as to the latest key performance indicators therein.

The Committee noted the progress made in achieving the Business Plans for Resources, Revenues, Benefits and Customer Services and ICT and Business Transformation, in addition to the current Key Performance Indicators for 2018/19. Concern was raised in relation to the increased number of sickness days and call abandonments.

To consider items for inclusion in the Work Programme for future meetings.

The Committee considered the Work Programme.  It was agreed that a report on GDPR statement issued over the telephone to customers be added to the work programme.

        RESOLVED that the Work Programme, as amended, be approved.

The Committee is asked to RESOLVE that, under Section 100A of the Local Government Act, 1972, the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1, 3, 5 and 7 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

RESOLVED that, under Section 100A of the Local Government Act, 1972, the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

The confidential information was noted.

The confidential information was noted.

RESOLVED that the arrears in excess of £1,200 on national non-domestic rates, council tax, rents, housing/council tax benefit overpayment and sundry debtors as set out in the report be written off and to note the exercise of the Deputy Chief Executive’s delegated authority under financial regulation 5.9.

The Committee noted the Chief Executive’s use of emergency powers.