Agenda and minutes

The following substitutions were made:-

Councillor Malyon for Councillor Hart

Councillor Barks for Councillor Johnson

Councillor Pascall for Spooner

Councilllor Beswick for Councillor Worthington

·       Disclosable Pecuniary Interests

·       Other Interests

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 7 February 2024, be approved as a correct record.

RESOLVED: That the Work Programme be noted.

The report informed members of the Council’s overall performance and financial position for the period ended 31st March 2024 (“Fourth Quarter 2023/24”).

Detailed analysis was set out in the appendices to the report and was summarised in paragraph 3.3 of the report.

The Committee wished to thank the Revenues team for the excellent collection rate, particularly given the cost of living crisis.

In response to queries, the governance and management arrangements for Alliance Environmental Services Ltd (AES) and earmarked reserves in recognition of IT spend were explained to the Committee.

Discussion took place around the reduction in the value of recyclable materials, increased trade income and maximising the amount of waste that could be recycled. 

The works underway in relation to the review of Moorlands House and the assessment of option for the IT system in the Planning Service was noted. Members requested information on the Council’s IT Strategy and were advised that the Alliance: Our Future programme incorporated the Digital Strategy.

The reduction in car parking income was debated, activity levels had reduced and the expectation from parking income may need to be less and reflected in the budget. It was agreed that an analysis of the parking statistics, prior to and after the increased charges, would be provided at a future meeting. 

RESOLVED:

The Finance and Performance Committee:

1)    Noted the Fourth Quarter 2023/24 financial, procurement and performance position detailed in Appendices A, B and C and summarised at 3.3 of the covering report;

2)    Recommend for approval the proposal of reserve movements in Appendix A (Paragraph 2.15);

3)    Recommend for approval the proposals to carry forward unspent capital budget as set out in Appendix A (Paragraph 5.6);

4)    Recommended for approval the inclusion of the Decision Notice fee within the Fees and Charges document. (Paragraph 8.1);

5)    For the Principal Commissioning and Procurement Officer to attend a future meeting to provide further information on local procurement and the proportion of planned procurement that had been completed;

6)    Recommended that members attended the Service Delivery Overview and Scrutiny Panel due to be held on 24 July, in relation to the Waste Reforms report;

7)    For a summary of the Digital Strategy to be provided at the meeting in December.

Members were provided with an overview of the questions contained within the survey and the responses received for each topic.

RESOLVED:

1)    That the feedback be noted;

2)    For future surveys to also be circulated to substitute members.

The Head of Regeneration was in attendance and provided the Committee with a presentation which covered the following subject areas:-

-        An overview of the service

-        Team structure

-        Big Initiatives – UKSPF / REPF

-        UKSPF Achievements… so far

-        Levelling Up - Leek Market Halls

-        Performance

-        Risks and opportunities

In response to a query, members were assured that measures were in place to ensure that grant funding was monitored proactively.

Discussion took place around the effectiveness and benefits of LUF spend, recruitment to the new Markets Officer post, sufficient staff resources and delivery of affordable housing in the area.

A councillor thanked the Regeneration team for the excellent support received in the completion of grant fund applications.

RESOLVED:

1)    That the presentation be received and comments/feedback noted;

2)    For the slides to be circulated to all members.

“That, pursuant to Section 100A(2) and (4) of the Local Government Act, 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings whereby it is likely that confidential information as defined in Section 100A (3) of the Act would be disclosed to the public in breach of the obligation of confidence or exempt information as defined in Section 10 I (1) of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act would be disclosed to the public by virtue of the Paragraphs indicated.”

The Chair moved:-

“That, pursuant to Section 100A(2) and (4) of the Local Government, 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings whereby it is likely that confidential information as defined in Section 100A (3) of the Act would be disclosed to the public in breach of the obligation of confidence or exempt information as defined in Section 101 (1) of part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act would be disclosed o the public by virtue of the Paragraphs indicated.”

Consideration was given to a report on the application for write-off of non-recoverable debts.