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Contact: Helen Rishworth, Communications & Democratic Accountability Officer, tel 01455255745 or email helen.rishworth@hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk
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Minutes of previous meeting To confirm the minutes of the meeting of the Finance Audit & Performance Committee held on 16 September 2013. Minutes: On the motion of Councillor Camamile, seconded by Councillor Morrell, it was
RESOLVED – the minutes of the meeting held on 16 September be confirmed and signed by the Chairman. |
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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. |
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Annual Audit Letter Annual Audit Letter attached. Minutes: Alison Breadon of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP introduced the Annual Audit Letter, highlighting the new inclusion this year of RGF money. She explained that the letter provided a conclusion on the Council’s use of resources, financial standing, how the authority was dealing with the current challenges, and actions taken to address them.
Discussion ensued and included:
RESOLVED –
(i) the Annual Audit letter be approved;
(ii) a report on Council Tax Support be brought to the January meeting. |
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Second Quarter Treasury Management report Additional documents: Minutes: Members received a report which outlined the council’s Treasury Management activity during the first six months of 2013/14. It was stated that no prudential limits had been breached. Members were informed that as more of the major capital projects get underway there would be more discussion required on treasury management.
RESOLVED – the report be noted. |
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Housing Repairs Update Minutes: Members received an update on the progress made against the action plan produced in response to the review of the Housing Repairs service. Members were reminded that the ‘backlog’ discussed was not a backlog in work but in ‘completing’ jobs on the Orchard system. It was reported that additional controls had been introduced in relation to void costs (including kitchens), that the schedule of rates was being reviewed and that capacity had been increased whilst costs remained the same. It was also noted that work was being undertaken to develop relationships between Housing Officers and the Housing Repairs team by way of shadowing and co-location in order to build a greater understanding of the work of the teams and the needs of the tenants.
Discussion ensued regarding:
Concern was expressed about how a potential overspend would be flagged up, and in response it was noted that there were weekly monitoring meetings and forecasting was carried out continuously.
With regard to the standard of vacated properties and the standard of voids when returned to use, officers agreed to consider how members could be made aware of this. It was also agreed to email a copy of the standards to members.
RESOLVED –
(i) the void standard be sent to members;
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Update report attached. Minutes: Members were updated on the sundry debts position as at 31 September 2013. It was reported that in the previous month the amount of debt had significantly decreased, partly due to the new initiative of contacting debtors to discuss the reasons for non-payment and possible solutions.
Members congratulated officers on recovering debt during an economically difficult time. |
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Minutes: Members considered the 2013-14 work programme. The following additions were requested:
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