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Agenda and minutes
Venue: Muriel Matters House, Breeds Place, Hastings, East Sussex, TN34 3UY
Contact: Democratic Services on 01424 451484 email: democraticservices@hastings.gov.uk
Items No. Item Apologies for Absence
Minutes:
Apologies received from Councillor Roberts
Declarations of Interest
Minutes:
Councillor
Item
Interest
Cllr Webb
4
Personal – ESCC Councillor
Minutes of the Previous Overview and Scrutiny Committee PDF 102 KB
Minutes:
RESOLVED - That the minutes of the meeting held on 19th December 2022 be approved as a true record.
Draft Budget and Corporate Plan Update Consultation 2023/24 PDF 122 KB
Minutes:
The Transformation and Programmes manager introduced the Corporate Plan and Draft Budget to the committee. A number of questions had already been received from the Committee and would be addressed either at the meeting or as part of the formal consultation response, once this closed on February 3rd.
Draft Budget 2023/24 PDF 706 KB
Minutes:
Councillors reviewed the draft budget proposals and asked a range of questions including:
- Councillor Jobson asked a question regarding Disabled Facilities Grant Reserves? The Leader of the Council explained a review is taking place and the findings will be made available. It is expected the review will address increased transparency on the process and allocations of grants.
- Councillor Patmore welcomed Stuart Drew the Chair of 1066 Country Marketing to answer questions put by the committee regarding the budget proposal to withdrawal from the group and fund a Hastings-focussed tourism campaign instead. The committee asked questions including: consultation about the proposals, the impact of the proposed reduction, the level of staff employed by 1066, whether the Board had could/had seek sponsorship to replace the gap in funding, what the requirement to be a Board member is, who owns the intellectual property rights. Mr Drew stated that the position with the funding has been unclear for some time, that the withdrawal of Hastings would be significant however it is his belief was the other partners would wish to continue the arrangement. He explained the core staff are employed by HBC with some input from other councils/organisations and volunteers.
- Councillor Patmore asked council officers how much had been spent on setting up and branding 1066 country campaign and what would be affected if we withdraw e.g. intellectual property rights etc.?
The Managing Director replied that with any withdrawal from an activity or service detailed discussions would be required, and the council will meet all its legal and contractual commitments in doing so.
- Councillor Patmore about the engagement with the White Rock Theatre as their contract is due to end in 2024. The Managing Director answered that we have alerted them to the Council's financial position and result we cannot and explained that we cannot guarantee we can continue to fund it into the future and have invited discussions on future options.
- Councillor Jobson asked about a communications officer post working on the Town Deal. The Managing Director explained the post is currently vacant due to a member of staff leaving but the post is still active and funded by the Town Deal.
- Councillor Patmore asked whether the budget from the closing of the tourist information centre would be sufficient to set up a Hastings marketing website? The Managing Director answered that those detailed discussions would take place about our future offer if Full Council agreed to that proposal.
- Councillor Patmore asked about a commitment to save £1 million over the three years on staff expenditure? The Managing Director and the Chief Finance officer explained the savings would come from a mixture of staff and services reductions but may also come from increased income generation or external funding. The Council Leader also commented that while no compulsory redundancies would be made in 23/24 his wish was for the council to slim down in 24/25.
- Councillor Pragnell asked regarding savings being made in Emergency Planning? The Managing Director explained that the satellite phones have not ... view the full minutes text for item 132.
Draft Corporate Update PDF 131 KB
Minutes:
The committee reviewed the draft corporate plan update and asked a number of questions including:
- Councillor Patmore began by asking if the draft Budget and Corporate plan that is out for consultation and on the Council’s website is the one which will be published for Cabinet tomorrow? The Managing Director confirmed that is correct and because of the need to publish an agenda before the end of the consultation period, the corporate plan and budget are still subject to change.
- The committee welcomed point 26 of the plan which highlighted the target to actively call on government to provide funding for local government to help communities made changes to reduce carbon emissions.
- Councillor Foster asked if the flooding last week will impact on the Corporate Plan? The Leader of the Council explained a review will be taking place and agrees there should be a section in the Corporate Plan regarding the Councils responsibility to respond to emergencies. It was asked if the town deal funding will be affected by the flooding. The Leader explained it is too early to assign blame to anyone at this moment and that the investigations need to be completed before we understand all of the causes and impacts. Councillor Carr asked if there is any costings for the effects of the flooding. The Chief Finance Officer explained the costs have not been fully understood at this time.
Resolved (Unanimously)
1. That the comments of the Budget Overview and Scrutiny Committee on the draft budget and corporate plan update be referred to Budget Cabinet on the 6th February 2023
Reasons
1. To ensure the Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s comments can be considered by the Budget Cabinet, prior to recommendations being made to the Full Council.
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