Agenda item

[To review the comments of each Scrutiny Panel and provide further feedback to Cabinet.]

Councillor Andrew Johnson, Cabinet Member for Resources, introduced the report.  He advised that although the provisional local government finance settlement was to be announced in due course, an additional £4.1 billion of expenditure cuts for local government was expected.  The Cabinet Member for Resources outlined the Council’s saving proposals and progress and reported that it was working with a revised savings target of £24 million.  These projections were to be confirmed once central government had released the local government finance settlement.

The Cabinet Member for Resources highlighted that seven million pounds had been saved through treasury management and financial transaction arrangements, without which, the impact of cuts on the Council would be much greater. He thanked the officers involved in making these savings.

Councillors discussed the need for additional funding to pay for the reshaping of Older People Services outlined on page 13 and the impact of this on savings proposals. The Cabinet Member for Resources and the Director of Finance advised that this was a subject of consideration in the budget process and further details would be reported to scrutiny once the settlement was announced.

A discussion took place between the Board and the Cabinet Member for Resources about the new funding formula for Public Health. Councillor O’Neill advised that these questions were asked at Health Scrutiny Panel and officers were going to investigate these details.

Referring to page 25 of the report, the Cabinet Member for Resources outlined proposals to ensure that City venues such as the Art Gallery, Bantock House and Bilston Art Gallery were generating considerable income.  Councillor Collingswood was concerned about the length of time this was taking, since these City Venues formed part of Wolverhampton’s cultural heritage. In response, the Cabinet Member for Resources advised that development proposals were being driven forward by officers. Councillors requested that these proposals come back to the relevant scrutiny panel.

Councillor Brookfield announced that she was unable to comment on the recommendations of other panels.  Since these had already been scrutinised once, she was happy to accept the recommendations of other panels but felt unable to comment without all the details.  The Chair requested that future budget reports have details of figures appended to the report.

A discussion took place about grounds maintenance reductions and efficiencies in service, in particular, ceasing annual bedding outside the City centre outlined on page 42 of the appendix. Following debate around the positive, visual impact the bedding had, Councillor Bateman was concerned that the reputation of the Council could potentially be compromised by this small saving. The Director of Finance advised that £22,000 would be saved over two years, with bedding converted into shrubbery or lawn. The Cabinet Member for Resources advised that this service was faced with financial saving necessity but would welcome the option of the relevant scrutiny panel re-visiting this.  The Chair requested that the Chair of Vibrant and Sustainable City be informed.

Councillors suggested that the development of City sites, such as West Park, should be collated as a business proposition either by the appropriate officer, relevant scrutiny panel or particular champion. The Chair recommended that the possibility of utilising the City’s assets across the City, starting with West Park, be looked into.

A discussion took place between Councillors about the review of stray dog procedures outlined on page 45-46. Councillors requested that this come back to Scrutiny Board with further cost details of this procedure, that alternative provision be investigated and scoping of other local authorities be considered.  

Councillors discussed the review of school crossing patrols on page 47 and whether schools could be charged to maintain this service. Cllr Johnson advised that advice would need to be sought regarding the statutory requirement for school patrols.  Moreover, this would continue to be reviewed in light of schools moving out of local authority control.

Cllr Bolshaw enquired about the review of allotment costs outlined on page 47.  Cllr Johnson advised that a mechanism needed to be implemented to charge residents realistically and incrementally.

In response to a question regarding the review of the council tax scheme and discount, the Cabinet Member for Resources clarified that the 21 day discretionary discount was to be removed following consultation.

The Board discussed corporate savings proposals, including charges for late payment of invoices and the review of staff training. The Director of Finance advised that the performance of paying invoices had greatly improved since the introduction of Agresso. He reported that there had been a reduction in escalated queries and it was being monitored closely. In response to the review of staff training, Councillors discussed the role of interim positions within the Council.  The Cabinet Member for Resources highlighted that interim officers were highly beneficial and allowed time for the authority to find a suitable, permanent replacement.

The Chair requested an additional meeting to address the recommendations set out below once Cabinet had considered all consultation and scrutiny responses.

Resolved:

1.     That the details of savings proposals on Older Peoples Services be reported back to scrutiny.

2.     That Health scrutiny panel look into the implications of a new funding formula for Public Health.

3.     That development proposals for City venues come back to Vibrant and Sustainable City scrutiny panel.

4.     That future budget reports have details of figures appended to the report.

5.     That the proposed cessation of annual bedding be revisited by Vibrant and Sustainable City and the Chair be informed.

6.     That the possibility of utilising the City’s assets across the City, starting with West Park be looked into.

7.     That cost details of the review of stray dogs be reported, alternative provision be investigated and scoping of other local authorities take place.

8.     That legal advice be sought regarding the statutory requirement for school patrols, in light of proposals to move schools out of local authority control.