Issue - meetings

Councillor Phil Edwards declared an interest in this item and remained and took part in discussion at the meeting.

Consideration was given to the report of the Chief Officer Resources which was presented to provide Members with an opportunity to scrutinise the work undertaken as part of the Income Recovery Strategic Business Review.

The Chief Officer Resources spoke to the report and highlighted the main points contained therein.

In response to a Member’s enquiry regarding prompt payment of invoices and how invoices were sent, the Chief Officer Resources said that currently no early payment discount was offered and the majority of invoices were sent through the post, occasionally some were sent electronically.  With regard to removal of bulky waste, payment was made in advance to avoid issuing invoices and the Council were looking to offer more services in this way where appropriate.

A Member commented on the good work of the Credit Union to support residents and requested that the Credit Union be invited to present at a Member Briefing Session.  The Chair advised that a Members Briefing Session would be arranged in the new year.

A Member commented on collaboration work with the Citizen’s Advice Bureau and the increased number of residents seeking advice around money management and debt and raised concerns if proposed cuts were to be implemented in future.

In response to a Member’s question regarding supporting and engaging with individuals, the Chief Officer Resources said that a pilot scheme was to be implemented within the Flying Start Hub in Cefn Golau to identify and test the most suitable method of engagement and develop appropriate ways in which the Council could support them.

The Committee AGREED to recommend that the report be accepted and endorse Option 2, namely that Committee scrutinised and provided specific comment on the findings and the proposed actions prior to recommending to Council.