Agenda and minutes

Venue: De Montfort Suite, Hinckley Hub

Items
No. Item

39.

Apologies and substitutions

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Cope and Ladkin. It was noted that Councillor Webber-Jones would be arriving late.

40.

Minutes of previous meeting pdf icon PDF 74 KB

Minutes:

It was moved by Councillor Morrell, seconded by Councillor Gibbens and

 

RESOLVED – the minutes of the meeting held on 25 March be confirmed and signed by the chairman.

41.

Declarations of interest

To receive verbally from members any disclosures which they are required to make in accordance with the Council’s code of conduct or in pursuance of Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992. This is in addition to the need for such disclosure to be also given when the relevant matter is reached on the agenda.

Minutes:

No interests were declared at this stage.

42.

Performance and Risk Management Framework end of year summary for 2018/19 pdf icon PDF 521 KB

To provide the end of year 2018/19 outturn position for performance indicators, service improvement plans, corporate and service area risks.

Minutes:

Members were provided with the end of year 2018/19 outturn position for performance indicators, service improvement plans, corporate risks and service area risks. In response to members’ questions, the following points were made:

 

·         The number of performance indicators had reduced over recent years as many were no longer mandatory and, as a result, it had become difficult to benchmark against other authorities. It was agreed that a historical report of performance indicators dropped or targets that had been amended would be included the next time this matter was reported

·         Targets were generally not reduced or even maintained if they had been achieved

·         The number of missed bins would be reported as a percentage in future

·         Due to difficulties in recruiting a Building Control Manager, the authority had entered into a shared service with Blaby and Harborough district councils

·         Nine of the 20 service improvement plan targets had not met their target date and most would be rolled over to 2019/20

·         The Risk Management Strategy was due for review during 2019/20.

 

A member requested that, as it was difficult to avoid acronyms in such reports, a glossary be provided. It was agreed that this would be considered.

 

Councillor Webber-Jones entered the meeting at this juncture.

 

It was moved by Councillor Sheppard-Bools, seconded by Councillor Gibbens and

 

RESOLVED – the 2018/19 end of year position in relation to performance indicators, service improvement plans, corporate risks and service area risks be noted.

43.

Financial Outturn 2018/2019 pdf icon PDF 435 KB

To present the draft financial outturn position for 2018/19.

Minutes:

In presenting the draft financial outturn for 2018/19, the Head of Finance referred to the general fund balance being slightly better than the original budget forecast, with a contribution from balances of £670,437 compared to the budget position of £688,276. This was mainly due to improved business rates retention levels and a lower levy on growth than forecast. This had enabled a contribution to the business rates equalisation reserve of £189,088 compared to an expected use of that reserve of £170,605. Carry forwards and unapplied grants totalling £626,922 were also noted, along with the housing revenue account (HRA) having a slightly lower surplus of £63,205 compared to the £115,304 budget position. This was mainly caused by council tax pressure on Ambion Court which was empty.

 

It was moved by Councillor Webber-Jones, seconded by Councillor Morrell and

 

RESOLVED – the report be endorsed and RECOMMENDED to Council.

44.

Sundry Debts - Q4 2018/2019 pdf icon PDF 364 KB

To report on the position on sundry debts as at 31st March 2019.

Minutes:

Members received the position on sundry debts as at 31 March 2019. It was noted that performance had improved from the December 2018 report. It was explained that homelessness debt wasn’t vigorously followed up due to the nature of the debt, and aged debt where a payment agreement had been set up was not included in the figures for outstanding debt over 90 days.

 

It was moved by Councillor Morrell, seconded by Councillor Webber-Jones and

 

RESOLVED – the report be noted.

45.

Finance & Performance Scrutiny Work Programme pdf icon PDF 120 KB

Minutes:

Members gave consideration to the work programme. It was moved by Councillor Gibbens, seconded by Councillor Collett and

 

RESOLVED – the work programme be noted.