Agenda and draft minutes
Venue: Council Chamber, 1st Floor, Town Hall, Mulberry Place, 5 Clove Crescent, London, E14 2BG
Contact: Angus Taylor, Democratic Services Tel: 020 7364 4333 E-mail: angus.taylor@towerhamlets.gov.uk
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APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE To receive any apologies for absence. Minutes: Apologies for absence were received on behalf of: · Councillor Rachael Saunders (Scrutiny Lead Adult Health and Wellbeing). · Councillor Fozol Miah.
Apologies for lateness were received on behalf of Mr Nozrul Mustafa (Parent Governor Representative).
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DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST PDF 56 KB To note any declarations of interest made by Members, including those restricting Members from voting on the questions detailed in Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act, 1992. See attached note from the Monitoring Officer.
Minutes: No declarations of interest were made.
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REQUESTS TO SUBMIT PETITIONS To receive any petitions (to be notified at the meeting).
Minutes: There were no petitions.
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REPORTS FOR CONSIDERATION |
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General Fund Capital and Revenue Budgets and Medium Term Financial Plan 2013-2016 PDF 1 MB To consider the General Fund, Capital and Revenue Budgets and Medium Term Financial Plan 2013-2016 in accordance with the Council’s Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules.
Format for consideration of this item:
Directorate Presentations: · Development & Renewal Budget · Resources Budget
Final Questions & Answers on Budget
OSC members are advised that the report and appendices concerning this item have been previously circulated to them as a Supplemental Cabinet Agenda (09 January 2013) “Budget 2013/14 Document Pack”. Please bring the document pack to the meeting. Minutes: Special Circumstances and Reasons for Urgency The Chair informed the OSC that this extraordinary meeting of the OSC (22nd January) had been arranged at short notice, because of finalisation of the timetable and process for the formal part of the Council’s 2013/14 Budget making process. Consequently the agenda papers were not published in line with normal timescales, although the content of the Mayor’s initial Budget proposals had been contained in the Cabinet agenda published before the Christmas break. However to allow the OSC to proceed with consideration of the business detailed on the agenda, as Chair, she must formally agree formally agree special circumstances and reasons for urgency.
The Chair subsequently agreed the special circumstances and reasons for urgency, as set out below:
“That OSC consideration of the Budget report at Agenda item 4.1 was urgent, in order to allow for: · Proper consultation with the OSC on the Mayor’s initial 2013/14 Budget proposals, in line with the Constitution. · To allow timely feedback to the Mayor in line with the agreed Budget making process.”
A comprehensive discussion followed which focused on the following points:- · Clarification sought and given as to: D&R
· Why a report to the Council’s Audit Committee had identified the move to Anchorage House as high risk; with concern expressed that any delay in this would impact on the achievement of related savings. · Further detail sought on the outlined budgetary pressures on Employment Services. What was the 2011/12 budget allocation for regeneration and tackling unemployment, and performance against target. · Commenting that consultation to date regarding surplus Council buildings favoured disposal, however this approach had been deferred given poor market conditions: what criteria/ process would determine if market conditions were sufficiently favourable to proceed with disposal. Also what provision had been made for maintenance and security costs for these empty buildings. How was value for money being ensured. · How the raised level of MSG agreed by the Mayor after further consideration had been funded. · Whether the £1 million from unrequired earmarked reserves to be set aside for homelessness prevention would be funded from the D&R budget / capital reserves/ DWP discretionary fund. · Whether the proposed University Bursary scheme with budget of £1.5 million was to be funded from the D&R budget. · Explanation for the £1.6 million of earmarked reserves set aside for employment initiatives. · What comprised the £5.6 million for Corporate Reserves. Mr Finch to provide written response. · Whether the ‘Corporate Landlord Model’ would be of help with asset management of a disparate portfolio. · What consideration/ planning was being given to retention of long term interests in respect of property disposals with a view to securing additional income E.g. Toynbee Street and the Car Pound · What work was underway to identify savings on the energy costs associated with Council buildings, which were understood to be approximately £12 million although there was no single budget line for this. Were energy savings reflected in the overall savings for the Anchorage House decant. · When the lease for Mulberry ... view the full minutes text for item 4.1 |