To agree the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 25 May 2017 as a correct record

Resolved: That the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 25 May 2017 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

Any interests not already registered

There were no additional declarations of interest.

There were none.

The Portfolio Holder, and Chairman, advised that conversations would soon be taking place with local Members in regards to development in Swanley and the White Oak Swimming Centre, with a report in early 2018. There was an opportunity for the Council, along with other Kent authorities to participate in a pilot of 100% Business Rate Retention in 2018/19. Discussions were taking place with the other authorities in regards to the distribution of the money.

Scaffolding and building materials were onsite for the hotel and it was anticipated that the walls would be in place by the end of October 2017.

There were none.

The Chief Finance Officer presented the report which set out updates to the 2018/19 budget within the existing framework of the 10-year budget and savings plan.  The report presented proposals that had been identified and needed to be considered, together with further suggestions made by the Advisory Committees, before finalising the budget for 2018/19.

Informed by the latest information from Government and discussions with Cabinet, it was proposed that the Council continued to set a revenue budget which assumed no funding from Government through the Revenue Support Grant or New Homes Bonus. This would result in the Council continuing to be financially self-sufficient as set out in its Corporate Plan.

To achieve this aim and to ensure a balanced budget position over the next 10-year period, whilst also increasing the Council’s ability to be sustainable beyond that time, a savings requirement of £100,000 per annum was included.   Other pressures, such as the public sector pay award, may result in a requirement for further savings.  Officers would continue to monitor these pressures and report the latest position to Cabinet in December.

Members considered Appendix D which contained savings proposals put forward by the Portfolio Holder and Chief Officers and the Service Change Impact Assessments (SCIAs) in Appendix E. Members also reviewed and discussed the growth and saving items suggested by the Advisory Committee last year on 6 October 2016 in Appendix F.

Public Sector Equality Duty

Members noted that consideration had been given to impacts under the Public Sector Equality Duty and that individual equality impact assessments had been completed for all Service Change Impact Assessments (SCIAs) to ensure the decision making process was fair and transparent.

Resolved: That it be recommended to Cabinet that

a)    The saving proposals identified in Appendix D applicable to the Advisory Committee (SCIAs 01 and 02) be agreed;

b)   the following suggestions be discussed further

Growth

·         Broadband improvements

·         Reinstatement of the Big Community Fund or something similar.

·         Investment in skills training (Economic & Community Development Advisory Committee remit).

·         Improved start up business accessibility, e.g. seed funding (Economic & Community Development Advisory Committee remit).

·         Improved district event and activity promotion.

Savings

·         Additional property acquisitions/developments.

·         Investigate further shared services opportunities within this portfolio’s terms of reference.

·         External communications (social and online).

·         Look at ways to reduce corporate management further.

·         Set up a bank (mobile/local).

·         Become a social landlord for young workers (Housing & Health Advisory Committee’s remit).

The Chairman gave a presentation detailing the priorities of the Council for the coming years for the benefits of residents, local businesses and staff through a new Corporate Plan. The presentation highlighted the past successes of the Council and suggested ways forward with overarching themes of the Environment, Housing, Economy, Health and Community Safety and how these would achieve overall wellbeing through excellence, innovation and value to the customers. Members discussed the points raised and were in agreement.

Resolved: That the report be noted.

The work plan was noted.