Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest reported.

The minutes of the meeting held on 6 September 2022 were approved by the Group and signed by the Chairman.

Report of the Director – Finance and Corporate Services

The Finance Business Officer presented the Group with the Council’s financial position in respect of revenue and capital as at 30 September 2022, advising members of the current financial climate, particularly inflationary increases expected to rise to 14% and the impact of the ‘cost of living’ on residents.

The Group were advised that there is a predicted net revenue budget efficiency of £0.831m for 2022/23, as a result of Business Rates Pool, additional investment income and additional new burden grants. The Group noted that £0.67m of this is proposed to be earmarked for additional cost pressures and that this position is likely to change as further variances are identified. The variances were highlighted in a table provided in the report.

In respect of Capital Monitoring the Finance Business Officer advised the Group that the original programme for 2022/23 was £14.611m, with £10.646m carrying forward and other adjustments of £1.679m giving a current budget of £27.178m. However, the projected outturn was reported to be around £19.2m, resulting in an estimated underspend of £4.98m. Primarily arising from:

·       The provision for support for Registered Housing Providers (not wholly committed at this stage)

·       Bingham Leisure Hub and Crematorium contingencies due to delays in both projects

·       Unused contingencies on Cotgrave Phase 2 development

·       Schemes for watercourse improvements, Disabled Facilities Grants, Hound Road and Edwalton Golf Course.

The Group noted that these are recommended to be re-phased into the 2023/24 Capital Programme.

The Finance Business Officer highlighted some of the pressures and uncertainties ahead, including the prime ministers budget announcements and the prediction that inflation could reach 14% later this year, giving significant risk to Council costs and the knock-on effect this may have on collection rates for Council Tax and Business Rates and on fees and charges. The Group noted that the impact of continued increases would be monitored closely.

In concluding the Finance Business Officer advised that the capital position is positive and there will be no need to externally borrow in this financial year.

Members asked specific questions relating to the delays on the Bingham Hub and Crematorium and asked what the delays were and would the contingency allowance for each project be spent. The Group were advised that delays were caused with labour shortages, material shortages and increased costs, with regards to contingency, this is provided for unexpected costs and will not necessarily be spent.

Members commented on S106 and CIL funding from developer contributions and are there plans for spending this in the Council budget and asked if there were any transformation projects or longer term plans expected in the Council’s Transformation Strategy.  The Service Manager – Finance advised that officers are currently working on how/where to spend S106 and CIL contributions.  With regards to the Council’s Transformation Strategy the Service Manager – Finance referred to the Budget Workshops scheduled for December which will provide some options.

The Communications and Customer Services Manager presented the Performance Monitoring report and a summary of the progress of tasks and measures falling within each  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

Report of the Director – Finance and Corporate Services

The Service Manager – Corporate Services presented a report that summarised the customer feedback relating to both complaints and compliments received by residents during 2021/22 and provided the Group with a comparison to previous years performance.

The Group were informed that during 2021/22 the Council received 57 complaints at stage 1 of the complaints process, and it was noted that this was a slight increase compared to recent years and considered to be caused by additional pressures on Council services caused by the pandemic. The percentage of complaints escalated to stage 2 was 12 from the 57.

The Group noted the subjects for complaints were as follows:

·       Planning applications/decision (5)

·       Environmental Health enforcement (2)

·       Environmental Health officer visit (1)

·       Housing allocation (1)

·       Homelessness (1)

·       Council Tax (1)

·       Planning officer conduct (1)

The Service Manager - Corporate Services reported that response to complaints remained consistent, as were the number of complaints responded to within target time. The Group were advised that during 2021/22 the Local Government Ombudsman |(LGO) received 10 complaints in respect of services offered by Rushcliffe Borough Council, the LGO issued decisions on 7 of the complaints, 3 were referred back to the Council for local resolution and 4 were closed after initial enquiries.  The Group noted that the Council performs well in comparison to other authorities.

The Group were advised that the Council received 127 compliments about its services in 2021/22, noting this was 28 fewer than the previous year.  

A question was raised in respect of compensation payments and how would they be justified. The Service Manager – Corporate Services explained that compensation would be considered if it was felt that the claimant had been disadvantaged or were ‘out of pocket’. The Group were advised that the Council had not received any compensation claims.

It was RESOLVED that the report be accepted as a true record of customer feedback in 2021/22.

The Chairman of Growth and Development Scrutiny Group advised the Group that at its last meeting on 21 September 2022 the Group were presented with two items, Sewerage infrastructure and Discharge within Rushcliffe and Covid 19 Business Recovery.  The Group were advised that 2 external speakers attended the meeting, from the Environment Agency and Severn Trent Water, both delivering presentations on sewerage and water discharge and the pressure of housing developments across the Borough. The Chairman of Growth and Development Scrutiny suggested that this item be brought back for further scrutiny next year.  In respect of Covid 19 Business Recovery the Group were advised that officers had been complimented on the support provided to businesses during and after the pandemic. The Group were also advised of the UK Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), a new stream of funding that will benefit Rushcliffe residents. It was noted that the UKSPF would be brought back to Growth and Development Scrutiny Group in next year’s work programme.

The Chairman of Governance Scrutiny Group advised the Group that the meeting of Governance Scrutiny on 1 November 2022 had been delayed due to the additional bank holiday in September. The Group were informed of a packed agenda including, the Internal Audit Progress Report, Streetwise Annual Report, Risk Management, Going Concern and the Council’s Capital and Investment quarterly update.  The Chairman of Governance Scrutiny Group reported that the internal audit had looked at risk management and the Councils project management framework. The Governance Scrutiny Group had raised the Redmond Review and the introduction of an independent member and were advised that this may come under review next year and could potentially be mandatory for audit committees. The Governance Scrutiny Group had noted that Streetwise had come back in house and business growth was steadily increasing. The Chairman of Governance scrutiny Group advised that Streetwise was being removed from the Governance Scrutiny work programme and is likely to be brought to the Corporate Overview Group in future. In respect of Risk Management, Going Concern and the Capital and Investment Strategy the Chairman of Governance Scrutiny Group advised that the reports were positive and concluded that the Council was performing well.

As the Chairman of Communities Scrutiny Group had sent his apologies the Chairman advised that at the last meeting of Communities Scrutiny Group the Group received reports on the Council’s External Communications Strategy and the Customer Access Strategy.

There was nothing to feedback for this item.

Report of the Director – Finance and Corporate Services

The Group Considered three new Scrutiny matrices submitted by either Councillors or Officers since the last meeting of Corporate Overview Group.

In respect of the scrutiny matrix submitted by Councillor Way via a motion at Full Council in September concerning the protection of hedges and hedgerows it was agreed that this would be submitted for scrutiny by the Growth and Development Scrutiny Group at its meeting in January 2023.

The scrutiny matrix submitted by the Service Manager – Economic Growth and Property, in respect of the Fairham development, a strategic site identified for housing and employment development was approved for scrutiny as the Group felt it was important that members were kept up to date on its progress. It was agreed that this item would be submitted to Growth and Development Scrutiny Group at its meeting in March 2023.

The scrutiny matrix submitted by the Service Manager – Economic Growth and Property, in respect of a review of Rushcliffe Oaks Crematorium, was also approved for scrutiny. The Group expressed how important it was for members to understand how the new facility will operate and its future plans. It was agreed that this item would be submitted to Growth and Development Scrutiny Group at its meeting in July 2023.

The Chairman of Growth and Development Scrutiny suggested two items that could be considered for scrutiny. The first one relates to new planning legislation and permitted development rights on the grounds that Councillors are not always made aware of these type of planning proposals and felt that ward members should have the opportunity to provide comment. Secondly an item relating to construction work and more robust conditions imposed at the planning approval stage.  The Service Manager – Corporate Services advised the Chairman of Growth and Development Scrutiny that he would need to submit scrutiny matrices for officers to provide comment, adding that both items could provide a training opportunity for Councillors.

The Chairman suggested that an item in respect of Police priorities would be an opportunity for the Communities Scrutiny Group to consider at a future meeting and noted that a scrutiny matrix would need to be submitted.

Work Programme 2022-23 – Corporate Overview Group

Work Programme 2022-23 – Governance Scrutiny Group