Agenda and minutes

Details of the Memberships of the Committee are attached.

The Committees are asked to agree a Chairman for the meeting.

With the agreement of all Overview and Scrutiny Committee Members present, the Chair was taken at this special meeting by Councillor Clarence Barrett.

The Chairman will announce details of the arrangements in case of fire or other events that might require the meeting room or building’s evacuation.

The Chairman advised all present of action to be taken in the event of an emergency evacuation of the town hall becoming necessary.

-       receive.

Apologies for absence were received from the following Members:

Children & Learning Overview and Scrutiny Committee:

Councillor Jason Frost (substituted Councillor Robby Misir)

Councillor Philippa Crowder (substituted by Councillor Frederick Thompson)

Councillor Reg Whitney (substituted by Councillor Stephanie Nunn)

Councillor John Glanville (substituted by Councillor Phil Martin)

Crime & Disorder Committee:

Councillor John Wood (substituted by Councillor Linda Hawthorn)

Councillor Dilip Patel (substituted by Councillor Robby Misir)

Councillor John Glanville (substituted by Councillor Phil Martin)

Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee:

Councillor Keith Roberts (substituted by Councillor David Durant)

Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee:

Councillor Dilip Patel (substituted by Councillor John Crowder)

Councillor Joshua Chapman (substitute by Councillor Robby Misir)

Councillor Jason Frost (substituted by Councillor Frederick Thompson)

Individuals Overview and Scrutiny Committee:

Councillor Ray Best (substituted by Councillor Frederick Thompson)

Councillor Viddy Persaud (substituted by Councillor John Crowder)

Councillor Roger Westwood (substituted by Councillor Robby Misir)

Councillor Keith Roberts (substituted by Councillor David Durant)

Towns and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee:

Councillor Jason Frost (substituted by Councillor John Crowder)

Councillor Steven Kelly (substituted by Councillor Carol Smith)

Value Overview and Scrutiny Committee:

Councillor Philippa Crowder (substituted by Councillor Frederick Thompson)

Councillor Steven Kelly (substituted by Councillor Carol Smith)

Councillor Barbara Matthews (substituted by Councillor Stephanie Nunn)

Members are invited to disclose any interests in any of the items on the agenda at this point of the meeting. Members may still declare an interest in an item at any time prior to the consideration of the matter.

There were no disclosures of interest.

Members are asked to retain, and bring with them to the meeting, the report to be considered by Cabinet at its meeting on 3 September.

The Cabinet will consider any concerns etc raised at the joint meeting before formulating its recommendations on the budget and Council Tax for 2014/15 and thus this is the Overview and Scrutiny Committees’ opportunity to scrutinise the budget proposals.

RECOMMENDATION

That the Committees, individually and collectively:

1.    Discuss with the Leader of the Council and senior officers the proposed revenue priorities relevant to the service(s).

2.    Note the financial position of the Council.

3.    Note that the report is formally consulting them on the proposed Corporate budget adjustments and that this is the opportunity to scrutinise the budget proposals.

4.    Consider the proposals and what, if any, representations they wish to make upon them.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Roger Ramsey explained that large cuts in Council expenditure were expected by Central Government and grant levels, of which Havering already received one of the lowest amounts per head in London, would therefore be cut further. The Council had not taken lightly any proposed cuts to services but it was nonetheless necessary to balance the budget.

Comments made at the meeting would be considered by Cabinet on 24 September. A period of statutory consultation would commence for approximately three months from shortly after the 24 September Cabinet meeting. Some staff consultation would not commence until after proposals had been finalised.

Confirmation of the final settlement figure from Government for 2015/16 was expected in December 2014. The final budget and level of Council Tax would therefore be set by full Council at its meeting in February 2015.

Having scrutinised the budget proposals, the Overview and Scrutiny Committees noted:

1.    The financial position of the Council.

2.    That the report was formally consulting them on the proposed Corporate budget adjustments and that this was the opportunity to scrutinise the budget proposals.  

Answers to questions raised by Members on specific items of the budget are shown in the appendix to the minutes.