Joint Meeting Of Executive Cabinet And Audit Panel

Minutes of the Meeting held on 14 December 2011

Time Commenced: 2.00pm  Time Terminated: 3.00pm

Present:

Councillor K. Quinn (In the Chair)
Councillors: Baines, J. Fitzpatrick, Gwynne, Harrison, Kitchen, Miah, Piddington, Ricci, Robinson, Sidebottom, Sweeton, Taylor, Travis, Warrington, K. Welsh and Whitehead.

Apologies for Absence:

Councillors Cooney and Fairfoull.

42. Minutes

Resolved

That the Minutes of the Meeting of the Executive Cabinet held on 8 November 2011 be taken as read and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

43. Strategic Capital Panel

Resolved

That the Minutes of the Meeting of the Strategic Capital Panel held on 17 November 2011 be taken as read and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

44. Big Conversation

Consideration was given to a report of the Executive Leader/Chief Executive providing an update on the Big Conversation which was the largest and most comprehensive consultation that the Council had undertaken and would allow residents to have their say on how Council services would be delivered in the future.

Reference was made to the unprecedented cuts faced by Tameside Council as a result of the Government’s deficit reduction plans and how the Council was on course to deliver £35 million savings for this current financial year, £31.4 million savings for 2012/13 and a further saving of £97 million by 2015.

Details were given of the ways in which the Council had managed the savings which included the redesign of services and promotion of voluntary staff exits, a review of all expenditure, review of capital investment plans, a reduction in senior management costs and reductions in administrative costs.

It was reported that the following consultations were currently being undertaken:-

• Customer Services and Welfare Rights Advice;
• Car Parking;
• Libraries;
• Museums and Galleries; and
• Residential and Nursing Care Provision.

Since the launch of the Big Conversation, on the Council’s website, there had been 1194 submissions to date. Details of the budget reduction plan for 2012/13 and the future consultations to be conducted were detailed at Appendix 1.

Resolved

That the report and consultation programme be noted, together with the Council’s budget reduction plan for 2012/13 and to the mechanism to monitor delivery of the consultation and plan be agreed.

45. Annual Audit And Inspection Letter

Consideration was given to a report of the Executive Leader/Chief Executive detailing the Audit Commissions’ findings for 2010/11 in respect of the audit of the Council’s financial statement and the assessment of the Council’s arrangements to achieve value for money in its use of resources.

Mark Heap, Audit Commission, reported on the Annual Audit Letter which summarised the findings from the 2010/11 audit and comprised of the following two elements:-

• The audit of the Council’s financial statements; and
• The assessment of the Council’s arrangements to achieve value for money in its use of resources.

He further reported that he had issued an unqualified audit opinion on the Council’s financial statements on 29 September 2011 and had concluded that proper arrangements had been put in place to secure value for money. The audit report on the Council’s financial statement also included the unqualified opinion on the financial statements of the Greater Manchester Pension Fund.

Further reference was made to the demanding plans which the Council had in place to deliver further efficiencies and to meet the financial challenges which it faced. Plans were in place which were designed to limit and manage the risks involved and the potential impact on local services.

Resolved

That the report of the District Auditor covering the audit of Council’s statement of accounts and conclusion regarding value for money in the Council’s activity be noted.

46. Technical Reforms Of Council Tax

Consideration was given to a report of the First Deputy (Performance and Finance)/Assistant Executive Director (Exchequer Services) detailing the main emerging issues from the consultation document ‘Technical Reforms of Council Tax’ which was released by the Department for Communities and Local Government on 31 October 2011 with a consultation closure date of 29 December 2011.

Particular reference was given to the proposed changes in respect of the following:-

• Second homes discount;
• Class A exemption;
• Class C exemption;
• Class L exemption;
• Empty Homes Premium;
• Payment of council tax instalments;
• Publishing information on-line;
• Solar panels; and
• Annexes to dwellings.

It was further reported that the consultation paper sought preliminary views on issues which the Government was not yet ready to bring forward proposals, however at present only the second homes discount could be amended in line with current legislation. The proposal to reduce the current discount on second homes from 50% to 10% with effect from April 2012 would be considered in a Key Decision early 2012 when the Council Tax levels were set and consultation would be undertaken prior to the decision being made as part of the Big Conversation.

Resolved

1. That the report be noted and the proposed consultation response detailed at Appendix 1 be approved.
2. That the intention to take a key decision early in 2012, subject to public consultation via the Big Conversation, to agree that in future any discretionary Council Tax discounts be set at the minimum statutory levels, which would include reducing the second homes discount from 50% to the current statutory minimum of 10% be approved.

47. Revenue Monitoring – September 2011

Consideration was given to a report of the First Deputy (Performance and Finance) and the Executive Director (Finance) which showed the forecast outturn revenue position for 2011/12 as net expenditure exceeding budget by £0.158m which was made up as follows:

• Inside the Expenditure Limit – net expenditure less than budget by £0.058m; and
• Outside the Expenditure Limit – net expenditure exceeding budget by £0.216m.

The report provided a summary of the projected outturn and gave details for each service area of the projected outturn position for those items inside the expenditure limit together with details of:

• Major variations from budget; and
• Performance data.

In addition, the report provided details of recovery plans, identifying how services intended to recover the position where expenditure exceeded budget.

A summary of the overall projected outturn position for 2011/12 was shown as below and details for each service were contained in Appendix 1 to the report:

Resolved

That the report be noted.

48. Capital Monitoring Report – September 2011

Consideration was given to a report of the First Deputy (Performance and Finance) and the Executive Director (Finance), which summarised the Council’s capital monitoring position at September 2011 and showed a projected spend under budget at outturn of £1.853m against the agreed capital scheme budgets. The capital programme included assumed slippage of £3.300m, which adjusted the outturn position to a projected spend over budget at outturn of £1.447m.

Reference was made to the details of the variation, totalling £1.853m which was shown by service area in Appendix 1 to the report. It was further reported that the expenditure to September 2011, totalling £18.173m reflected 29% of the 2011/12 approved capital project, compared with the actual spend at the same monitoring period in 2010/11 being £37.282m, which equated to 38% of the approved budget.

It was further reported that due to the reduced level of resources available to the Council, it had been decided not to undertake a full capital bidding round this financial year, however any capital proposals that could demonstrate a clear “invest to save” benefit or lever in substantial external funding, would be identified as part of the budget setting process.

Details were given of the current capital programme position for the following three years, together with the current forecast level of capital receipts to be generated.

Particular reference was made to the following:-

• Variations over the whole life of the schemes detailed at Appendix 2;
• In year scheme variations at September 2011;
• Changes to the approved 3 year capital programme detailed at Appendix 3;
• Capital receipts;
• SCYP Private Finance Initiative; and
• Prudential Indicators detailed at Appendix 4.

Resolved

1. That the current capital budget monitoring position be noted.
2. That the changes to the capital programme be noted.
3. That the capital receipts position be noted.
4. That the current Prudential Indicator position be noted.

49. Local Sustainable Transport Fund – Proposed Tameside Schemes

Consideration was given to a report of the Executive Member (Transport and Development)/Assistant Executive Director (Economic and Technical Services) detailing the criteria for the Local Sustainable Transport Fund and the potential schemes which could be submitted.

It was reported that the Department for Transport (DfT) had launched a new Local Sustainable Transport Fund in January 2011 which was seen as a key tool in delivering new local transport policy priorities in supporting economic growth whilst reducing carbon with a focus on:-

• Supporting jobs and business through effectively tackling congestion; improving reliability of journey times and access to employment;
• Changing patterns of travel behaviour;
• Making greater use of more sustainable transport modes; and
• Developing an integrated approach to meeting local challenges and to delivering additional wider social, environmental, health and safety benefits for local communities.

The Fund provided £560 million for the period 2011/12 to 2014/15 to support these objectives and Greater Manchester was eligible to bid for up to £50 million to support a “large project” programme of measures aimed at locally determined LSTF objectives.

Reference was made to the original large schemes bid from Tameside; the revised Local Sustainable Transport Fund Business Case Bid; the proposed Tameside Scheme Initiatives; the proposed Greater Manchester Wide Scheme Initiatives; next steps and timescales and risks associated.

In conclusion, it was explained that the proposed bid was a joint initiative for Greater Manchester to take advantage of a major DfT funding initiative to provide an investment opportunity to enhance economic growth across the Greater Manchester area including specific projects within Tameside and at the same time help to address the urgent challenges of climate change. In developing the bid a constant dialogue with DfT had been undertaken by Transport for Greater Manchester to ensure that it was seen to meet all criteria.

Resolved

That the Council makes a bid for funding to the Local Sustainable Transport Fund for the schemes listed in Appendix 1 to the report as part of the Greater Manchester Bid.

50. Update On Ashton Town Centre Delivery Framework

Consideration was given to a report of the Executive Member (Business and Community Development)/Executive Member (Transport and Development) and Assistant Executive Director (Economic and Technical Services) providing an update on the work underway to develop an Ashton Town Centre Delivery Framework.

It was reported that the success of Ashton Town Centre was of critical importance to the economic prosperity of the borough and the sub-region, however there was a defined need for investment, development and collaborative working between partners to sustain and grow this key economic asset.

Members were reminded that the Tameside Investment Partnership had been commissioned to lead the development of the Ashton Town Centre Delivery Framework and had engaged a number of experienced sub-consultants as part of the consortium undertaking the work.

Furthermore, a Highway and Movement study of Ashton was jointly commissioned by the Council and Transport for Greater Manchester and this work had been undertaken in tandem with the Development Framework and was now almost complete.

Reference was made to the refreshed vision statement, the objectives, constraints, a Quarter’s approach, which were identified in the map at Appendix B as follows:-

• Markets: Retail and civic;
• Delamere: Mixed use, linking function;
• St Petersfield: Commercial and office led; and
• Penny Meadow: Town Centre.

Further reference was made to the package of support measures and the next steps and in conclusion, it was reported that approval be given to undertake the necessary governance:-

• To approve a revised Vision for Ashton Town Centre;
• For authority to progress to formal consultation with key stakeholders; and
• For approval for a package of support measures to improve the vitality and viability of Ashton Town Centre.

Resolved

1. That the progress made in developing the Ashton Town Centre Delivery Framework be noted.
2. That the revised Vision for Ashton Town Centre be approved.
3. That the formal consultation with key stakeholders of the potential investment opportunities be authorised.
4. That the implementation of the package of support measures identified in section 4 of the report be authorised.

51. Waste Services – Service Review

Consideration was given to a report of the Executive Member (Environmental Services) and the Assistant Executive Director (Environmental Services) detailing the proposals of the potential efficiency savings within Waste Services and the drivers for change, specifically the recyclable material that was being lost and that was attracting a completely avoidable cost.

It was reported that the combined costs of waste collection and waste disposal for Tameside were approximately £14.5 million and over £10 million of these costs were paid to the Waste Disposal Authority. There had been an investment of over £600 million in upgrading the waste disposal and processing facilities across the region and the new facilities gave the Council an opportunity to review the recycling targets and also reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill at a time where the costs of landfill were increasing significantly.

Reference was made to savings already achieved by the Waste Services section, which included the purchase of refuse collection vehicles (£211k savings per annum year on year) and savings in 2009/10 made from the reduction of waste being sent to landfill of approximately £1.6 million.

Details were also given of the current and proposed frequencies as set out below:-

Further reference was made to the planned provision of kitchen caddies and larger outside caddies for non garden properties and provision of compostable caddie liners to all households, which would encourage residents to use the new facilities. It would be the Council’s intention to initially supply liners for up to 12 months following which recycling performance would be reviewed. A capital investment would be required for the introduction of kitchen caddies and larger outside caddies of £400k as detailed at Appendix A to the report.

Details were also given to the improvements required, including a re-evaluation of the rounds and the proposed structure was detailed at Appendix B to the report. Information was also provided on the financial implications and in conclusion, it was reported that the current recycling rate was 37.54% and 75% of waste in the black bins could be recycled and was attracting a charge that could be avoided.

Resolved

1. That the proposed changes to Waste Services detailed in the report be authorised.
2. That the purchase of waste caddies and ancillary caddie liners to collect organic waste to be funded from savings realised within the review be approved.

52. Monitoring Personal Financial Resilience In Tameside – Quarter 1 And Quarter 2 2011-12

Consideration was given to a report of the Executive Member (Adults’ Services) and the Assistant Executive Director (Cultural and Customer Services) detailing a number of key indicators demonstrating the personal financial resilience of people in Tameside. The report also summarised the key initiatives in place to support residents in responding to financial pressures.

It was reported that Tameside was more vulnerable to the economic downturn that many areas and Tameside was ranked worst in Greater Manchester for mortgage repossession summonses issued leading to orders being made by the County Court. It was further reported that 97% of cases where residents had been assisted had had a successful outcome and avoided repossession.

Details were given of the following:-

• The effect of Government Fiscal Policy on Local Personal Finances;
• The work of the Welfare Rights and Debt Advice Service with Partners;
• County Court Representation;
• Mortgage Rescue Scheme;
• Delivery of Training and Awareness Raising;
• Publicity Campaign; and
• Case Study.

Resolved

1. That the report be noted and a further report in respect of Quarter 3 2011/12 be presented to Executive Cabinet in due course.
2. That further work be undertaken to achieve the continued success of the Welfare Rights Service in supporting residents which were subject to repossession proceedings.

53. Cardiovascular Disease Review

Consideration was given to a report of the Personal and Health Services Scrutiny Panel on a review of cardiovascular disease in Tameside and the current approach to address the issue. Councillor Warrington, Chair of the Personal and Health Services Scrutiny Panel reported that Tameside had a high rate of cardiovascular disease, which contributed significantly to a lower life expectancy for Tameside residents than in England as a whole.

She further reported that the review had been published during a period of unprecedented change in the way in which the local health services were commissioned and delivered, however the Panel was assured that cardiovascular disease would remain a priority by the new Clinical Commissioning Group and would continue to be a focus for new partnership arrangements.

Councillor Travis, Executive Member (Adults’ Services) responded to the report and formally thanked the Scrutiny Panel for the review and it was –

Resolved

That the recommendations contained within the Cardiovascular Disease Review be noted.

54. Minutes Of Agma Executive Board/Greater Manchester Combined Authority

Consideration was given to a report of the Executive Leader and Chief Executive which informed Members of the issues considered at the AGMA Executive Board meetings held on 28 October and 25 November 2011 and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority meetings held on 28 October and 25 November 2011.

Resolved

That the report be noted.

55. Urgent Items

The Chair reported that there were no urgent items for consideration at this meeting.

Chair