Agenda item

To consider proposals for business plans, detailed revenue budget estimates for 2023/24; capital programme for 2023/24 to 2025/26; and proposed fees and charges for 2023/24 in respect of the Council’s priority areas.

A ten-minute comfort break was put to the committee and when put to the vote the meeting was adjourned.

Members considered proposals for business plans, detailed revenue budget estimates for 2023/24; capital programme for 2023/24 to 205/26; and proposed fees and charges for 2023/24 in respect of the Council’s priority areas.

Resources and Support Service Areas

Comments included the following:

•       Long term sickness had affected the working days lost due to sickness absence. The sickness was down to physical ailments rather than Mental Health being the cause.

•       Confirmation was provided to the Committee that requests under Freedom of Information was being achieved and that the National target set from the Information Commissioners Office was 85%.

•       A new performance Indicator for 2022/23 for Members attending training opportunities as a percentage of the whole. It was further explained to the Committee how the percentage would be calculated and that currently Member training was not compulsory unless it was a requirement of the Committee appointed too.

•       Industrial Units had an increase in tenancy arrears to due repairs required to the units and some tenancy changes.

•       The Email Me Subscription had achieved 26,343 to date. The bulletins had been key methods of communication to residents across the Authority. The electronic service provided data and an understanding of reach. Proposed changes to the paper version of Broxtowe Matters distribution was the reason for the increased target to the email me subscribers in future years.

•       Concern was raised with the vacancies within Beeston Square. Two units were vacant out of 12 ground floor shops in phase one. Refurbishment should create an additional shop unit for completion. Phase two comprised of five food and beverage units. This left one vacant unit. Refurbishment of the former Argos unit had been completed. The space would be marketed for letting. A percentage void was desirable to offer space to newly developed businesses whilst other growing businesses moved out.

•       The Committee raised concern with the achieved target for how employees felt informed and residents who felt the Council listened to. Members of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee had been presented with Performance data in relation to the agile working report at previous meetings and the recent budget consultation had provided 1,210 responses. This was significantly higher than the submissions received in 2021 (660) and 2020 (277). The Committee felt the Council had less engagement with residents overall.

•       Parish boundaries were causing an issue in the north of the borough with new developments and already existing anomalies. The Community Governance Review (Phase 2) was expected to commence work in June 2023 focusing on Parishes in the north of the borough. Any changes to boundaries would be effective for the elections in May 2027.

•       Members welcomed the review to streamline and simplify the application to the recruitment process this would help to increase numbers of applications for vacant posts within the Council.

•       Concern was raised with the development costs of Beeston Square against the income received. The Council would look to ensure the development income exceeded borrowing costs and to provide a revenue income stream. Some expenditure costs were required for external advice.

•       Confirmation was provided to Members that commercial properties would meet the targets for the Council to be carbon neutral for 2027 with offsets. A feasibility study on the Council’s four principle assets would be carried out by an external consultant. Grant opportunities would also be explored.

RECOMMEND that:

1.     Cabinet approved the Business Plans for the support service areas.

2.     Cabinet recommends to Council that the following be approved:

a)    The detailed revenue budget estimates for 2023/24 (base)including any revenue development submissions.

b)    The capital programme for 2023/24 to 2025/26

c)    The fees and charges for 2023/24.