Agenda and minutes

It was noted that following receipt of the temporary resignation of Councillor Moulton from the Committee, the Monitoring Officer, acting under delegated powers, had appointed Councillors Fitzhenry to replace him for the purposes of this meeting.  Apologies were also noted from Councillor Quadir.

To approve and sign as a correct record the Minutes of the meetings held on 5^th October 2023 (Special Call-in) and 12^th October 2023 and to deal with any matters arising, attached.

RESOLVED that the minutes for the Committee meetings held on 5^th and 12^th October, 2023 be approved and signed as a correct record. 

To move that in accordance with the Council’s Constitution, specifically the Access to Information Procedure Rules contained within the Constitution, the press and public be excluded from the meeting in respect of any consideration of the confidential appendices to the following Item.

It is anticipated at the point of publication, appendices to the Cabinet report will contain information deemed to be exempt from general publication based on categories 3 and 5 of rule 10.4 of the council’s Access to Information Procedure Rules i.e. information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person and information in respect of which a claim to legal professional privilege could be maintained in legal proceedings. It is not in the public interest to disclose this information due to ongoing legal proceedings. If the information was disclosed, then the council’s financial position would be available to other parties to the proceedings and prejudice the council’s ability to achieve best value.

The Chair moved that in accordance with the Council’s Constitution, specifically the Access to Information Procedure Rules contained within the Constitution, the press and public be excluded from the meeting in respect of any consideration of the confidential appendices to the following Item.

Appendices 7 and 8 of the Cabinet report contained information deemed to be exempt from general publication based on categories 3 and 5 of rule 10.4 of the council’s Access to Information Procedure Rules i.e. information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person and information in respect of which a claim to legal professional privilege could be maintained in legal proceedings. It is not in the public interest to disclose this information due to ongoing legal proceedings. If the information was disclosed, then the council’s financial position would be available to other parties to the proceedings and prejudice the council’s ability to achieve best value.

The Committee considered the report of the Scrutiny Manager which enabled the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee to examine the content of the Forward Plan and to discuss issues of interest or concern with the Executive.

BUDGET MATTERS – MEDIUM TERM FINANCIAL STRATEGY UPDATE

The Committee considered the draft Cabinet report shared with the Committee and published online prior to the meeting. 

Sue Atkins, Trade Unionists and Socialist Coalition, Councillor Letts, Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources, Mike Harris, Chief Executive, Mel Creighton, Executive Director Corporate Services and Steve Harrison, Head of Financial Planning and Management were present and with the consent of the Chair addressed the meeting.

The Committee discussed the progress made on 2024/25 savings proposals identified so far in addition to cost control measures in place. 

RESOLVED that the Committee received further details of the proposed savings being considered at their meeting in January 2024.

The Committee noted the report of the Scrutiny Manager which enabled the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee to monitor and track progress on recommendations made to the Executive at previous meetings.