Agenda and minutes

You are welcome to use Welsh at the meeting, a minimum notice period of 3 working days is required should you wish to do so.  A simultaneous translation will be provided if requested.

It was noted that no requests had been received for the simultaneous translation service.

To receive.

Apologies for absence were reported for Councillors L. Parsons, L. Elias, T. Sharrem and Mr. T. Baxter.

To receive.

The following declarations of interest were reported:-

Councillors B. Summers & M. Cook declared an interest in any reference to Silent Valley Waste Services Limited.

To receive the minutes of the Joint Scrutiny Committee (Budget Monitoring) held on 27^th September, 2021.

(Please note the minutes are submitted for points of accuracy only.)

The minutes of the Joint Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 27^th September, 2021 was submitted.

The Committee AGREED that the Minutes be accepted as a true record of proceedings.

The action sheet arising from the Joint Scrutiny (Budget Monitoring) Committee held on 27^th September, 2021 was submitted.

The Committee AGREED, subject to the foregoing, the Action Sheet be noted.

Consideration was given to report of the Chief Officer Resources.

The Committee AGREED to recommend that the report be accepted and Members note the financial outcomes in the report and the virements detailed in paragraphs 5.1.4 to 5.1.6.

Consideration was given to report of the Chief Officer Resources.

The Committee AGREED to recommend that the report be accepted and Members continue to support appropriate financial control procedures agreed by Council; and note the budgetary control and monitoring procedures in place within the Capital Team, to safeguard Authority funding.

Consideration was given to report of the Chief Officer Resources.

The Committee AGREED to recommend that the report be accepted and Members note the forecast use of

general and earmarked reserves for 2021/2022 and:

·        Note the impact of the £2.814m favourable variance for 2021/2022 would have on the budgeted contribution to the General Reserve;

·        Note the forecast increase of the General Reserve in 2021/2022 to £10.567m, being 8.0% of net revenue expenditure, above the 4% target level;

·        Consider the need for ongoing prudent financial management given the potential for future public spending restrictions required to fund the impact of Covid-19; and

·        Continue to challenge budget overspends and implement appropriate service Action Plans, where required.

Maintenance of general reserves at an adequate level is crucial to the Council being able to meet future liabilities arising from risks for which specific provision has not been made.

Consideration was given to report of the Chief Officer Resources.

The Committee AGREED to recommend that the report be accepted; and Members provided appropriate challenge to the Bridging the Gap programme.