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Agenda item
Finance Peer Review
Decision:
That:
1. Cabinet thanks the Local Government Association Peers for their time and input to assisting the Council to address its financial challenges and the impact of the local housing crisis which is impacting on the budget so significantly.
2. That Cabinet note the actions taken since the Peer review in March.
3. That Cabinet agree the council’s response and the future actions set out in the table in appendix A.
Minutes:
The Chief Executive presented a report to set out the findings of the Local Government Association (LGA) Finance Peer Review Team and the actions taken, and being taken, by the council in response.
Hastings Borough Council invited the LGA to undertake a Finance Peer Review in March 2023 in the context of a difficult financial situation, particularly in relation to temporary accommodation provision.
All of the review team’s recommendations have been accepted and the council will continue to work hard to address the immediate challenge. The LGA are confident that the savings set out by the council can be delivered.
The Chief Finance Officer welcomed the LGA report and thanked the Review Panel and officers who supported and took part in the review.
The Leader of the Council invited questions from other councillors present.
Councillor Hilton commented that some of the issues raised in the report have not been addressed, including the lack of joined-up thinking and a strategic approach to the housing and homelessness challenge. The Chief Executive replied that officers felt it appropriate to focus the response on the recommendations of the Peer Review, but all of their comments will be taken onboard. There may some disagreements with the findings, but there is a focus on implementing the recommendations as set out.
Councillor Collins asked when councillors will see the figures supporting the projected reduction in the homelessness budget? The Chief Executive confirmed that these figures had been discussed at homelessness taskforce meetings.
Councillor Patmore suggested that, whilst the councillor idea form was paused for six months, it would be helpful if councillors could still submit ideas for saving money. The Chief Executive responded that due to the work programme of officers there needs to be a focus on delivery and the council doesn’t have the capacity to consider any other suggestions at this time.
Councillor Jobson asked if the council could take advantage of the government’s Rent a Room Scheme, where residents could get tax-free income for renting a spare room? The Chief Executive replied that the council only has capacity to undertake core statutory work. Priorities have been agreed in the short-term in consultation with the council’s housing advisors.
Councillor Carr asked if selling Muriel Matters House had been considered? The Chief Executive replied that all buildings are being considered as part of the asset review but it should be noted that the council also receives rental income from Muriel Matters House.
Councillor Barnett said that the council needed to welcome ideas and support from across the town. The Peer Review is welcomed as part of a strategy to ensure the council is taking credible and sufficient action to meet the current challenges. Almost 100 actions have been outlined in response to the review report.
Councillor Barnett proposed approval of the recommendations, seconded by Councillor Willis.
RESOLVED (unanimously):
That:
1. Cabinet thanks the Local Government Association Peers for their time and input to assisting the Council to address its financial challenges and the impact of the local housing crisis which is impacting on the budget so significantly.
2. That Cabinet note the actions taken since the Peer review in March.
3. That Cabinet agree the council’s response and the future actions set out in the table in appendix A.
Reasons:
1. The Budget Council report in February 2023 set out the issues impacting on the Council’s financial stability. Most notably these are as a result of the massive increase in costs of providing temporary accommodation for those homeless people to whom we owe a legal duty.
2. The Budget report also set out the council’s strategy to tackling the budget deficit, address the housing budget spend and identified that if these plans are achieved, the council would be in a position of financial stability by 2025/26.
3. In order to provide the council with confidence in its plans, the Local Government Association was invited to visit in March 2023 and undertake a Finance Peer Challenge. The Peer Team’s final report and recommendations have been received and are presented together with the council’s response. Details are included in the table in appendix A of the progress made to date in addressing the council’s financial challenges, implementing the LGA recommendations as well as further planned actions.
Supporting documents:
- LGA Finance Peer Review Report v.2, item 20. PDF 222 KB
- Hastings FPC 2023 - Final Report - For Publication ACCESSIBLE, item 20. PDF 226 KB
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