Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillors  Baker, Kelly, Ishtiaq and Royle.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the last meeting.

The minutes of the meeting held on 5^th December 2016 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To determine whether there are any additional items of business which, by reason of special circumstances, the Chair decides should be considered at the meeting as a matter of urgency.

There were no additional items of business.

The Chair informed Members that due to the lengthy budget related agenda,  Item 8 – Resident Satisfaction Survey, and Item 10 – Community Buildings would be deferred until the March meeting of the Committee.

To consider the Key Decisions to be taken for the period February to April 2017.

The report was noted.

To receive a report on the updated Strategic Plan for 2017/18.

Rob Dobson presented the report which introduced the updated Strategic Plan for 2017/18 onwards.  Following positive feedback from the Peer Review, it had been decided to continue with the same approach.  The plan was a high level document and progress updates would be reported via Executive Member reports at Full Council.

The report was noted.

To consider capital budget monitoring for the period October – December 2016.

Dave Donlan introduced the report which provided the latest position regarding the 2016/17 capital budget.  He explained that £1.4 million expenditure had been moved into 2017/18 due to slippage in capital schemes.

Members asked if it was correct that there were no repayment liabilities in the current financial year?  This was correct, the repayments were funded from capital receipts and receipts from the vacant property initiative.

It was agreed that the report be noted.

To consider revenue budget monitoring for the period October – December 2016.

 Dave Donlan presented the report which informed the Committee of a projected revenue underspend due to savings on utility costs, and estimated higher income receipts than previously forecast.  Subject to approval by Full Council, any underspend that occurs at year end closedown  would be transferred to the strategic reserves.

It was agreed that the report be noted.

To consider a report on the Capital Budget for 2017/18 and the Capital Programme for 2017/18 – 2019/20, and make any recommendations to the Executive.

Asad Mushtaq presented the report which outlined the proposed capital budget for 2017/18, and the capital investment programme.

Members discussed the following:

·        Building Alteration works – works required at the Town hall following condition surveys.

·        Towneley Hall overspill car park – to be match funded by Friends of Towneley Hall, located near to the existing car park.

·        Leisure Trust Improvements – larger scale maintenance and improvements, in some cases as part of externally funded projects.

·        Lower St James Street – extension of the existing town centre scheme in partnership with LCC.

·        River training walls – whose responsibility were these?  The position is complicated and depending on location, they can be the responsibility of the Environment Agency or the riparian owner. The item in the capital programme relates to sites where the Council is the owner.

·        Funding bids for flood prevention work have been submitted.

·        Was it possible to have more narrative on new items in the programme in the report rather than as a separate document.

It was agreed that the report be noted.

To receive a report on the Revenue Budget for 2017/18, and to make any recommendations to the Executive. (to follow)

Asad Mushtaq outlined the proposed revenue budget for 2017/18, explaining that setting a £14.596million revenue budget would equate to a 1.9% increase in Burnley Council’s portion of Council Tax.  The budget reflected the Council’s Strategic Objectives.

It was agreed that the report be noted.

To consider a report on the setting of prudential indicators 2017/18 – 2019/20 and the strategy for undertaking Treasury Management activities for the financial year 2017/18 and make any recommendations to the Executive.

Dave Donlan introduced the report which outlined the Council’s Treasury Management Strategy for 2017/18.

Members discussed the following:

·        Whether the rate of interest on borrowing was fixed?  It was confirmed that current borrowing (through the Public Works Loan Board) was at a fixed interest rate.

It was agreed that the report be noted.

To consider the Medium Term Financial Strategy 2018/19 – 2020/21 and make any recommendations to the Executive. (report to follow)

Asad Mushtaq introduced the report which is part of the strategic planning process, and is used to support the development of the Annual Budget.

Members discussed the following:

·        Continued budget reductions

·        Loss of New Homes Bonus funding

It was agreed that the report be noted.

To receive an update on the work of any active Scrutiny Review Groups.

The draft report from the Leisure Trust scrutiny review group was circulated.  Members felt it was a good summary of the review.

A discussion document regarding the Railway Review was circulated by the Chair.  A meeting was being arranged with staff from the rail operator and the network rail.

Members discussed the following:

·        Parking at the station was becoming a bigger issue as the trains became busier.  Residents from Piccadilly Road had made complaints.  There were discussions underway regarding parking improvements.

·        Litter – members reported various litter problems, including on the station, on the approach, and also litter being dumped off Springfield Road.

It was agreed that the update be noted, and that the review report on the Leisure Trust should be submitted to the Executive for consideration.

To consider any additions to the draft Work Plan for 2016/17

Alison McEwan gave an update on the work plan.  The meeting on 22^nd March would have the deferred items added to the agenda – Resident Survey and Community Buildings.

Also at the March meeting, a draft of the work plan for the 2017/18 year would be circulated for comment.