Agenda item
PRE-DECISION SCRUTINY OF SECTION ONE (UNRESTRICTED) CABINET PAPERS
(Time allocated – 15 minutes).
Minutes:
The Chair Moved and it was –
RESOLVED
That the following Section 1 pre-decision questions be submitted to Cabinet on 1 December 2010 for consideration:
6.1 Proposed Cycle Hire Scheme extension (CAB 066/101)
1) LAP 5 has twelve cycle location areas, but only about 3-4 are in BowEast. Can you explain why this is?
2) Has the Council considered the option of partnering with RSLs and NHS Tower Hamlets to develop estate cycle routes for school journeys?
7.1 Update on Building Schools for the Future Programme including authorisation to enter into contracts: update on PFI and School Estate Strategy (CAB 068/101)
1) The new school planned for Bow looks to be dependent on DfE contribution which could well be less then costs, and result in Bow not getting a badly needed secondary school. As there has been a need for another school for some years, why were the plans not progressed sooner to avoid the now almost certain funding shortfall?
8.1 Borough-Wide Drinking Control Zone (CAB 069/101)
1) Will the introduction of a borough wide drinking control zone displace drinkers to other parts of London?
2) How will we ensure that our support to drinkers with dependency problems is much more effective to ensure we reduce the problem of displacement and people are given the support required?
3) What plans are there to work across east London to better understand the problem and develop a more co-ordinated and long-term response?
10.1 General Fund Revenue Budget and Medium Term Financial Plan 2011/2012- 2013/2014 (CAB 070/101)
1) Without the full Equalities Impact Assessment it is difficult to understand the full impact of the proposed savings on our community and in particular vulnerable sections of our community. Can the Cabinet therefore confirm when the full EQiA will be available?
2) What has been the monetary impact of the recent VAT increase?
3) In regards to paragraph 10.2 where the Council has discretion on what expenditure it incurs, it has chosen to curtail spending on Dementia Services and Learning Disabilities as they have yet to be fully commissioned, this along with a possible reduction in spending on Freedom passes does in fact seem to be reducing and providing in the first place support for the most vulnerable in the borough. Can the Cabinet outline how they are to make these savings and provide sufficient front line services.
4) What is the Council’s response to the Hutton Commission and its possible forthcoming recommendation to rebalance the future costs of the Council’s Pension Scheme between taxpayers and beneficiaries in favour of the taxpayer?
5) With reference to paragraph 14.3 of the report the resource available to fund capital programme is now heavily dependent on the sale of major assets and receipts from this source can therefore not be relied upon. Alongside this funding for the revenue budget which can also fund capital programme is very tight. Can the Cabinet outline how this has occurred and what is the plan to rebalance this if any?