Venue: Committee Room 5, Guildhall, Swansea. View directions
Contact: Scrutiny 637732
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Disclosure of Personal and Prejudicial Interests. Minutes: None |
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Public Questions · Questions must relate to matters on the open part of the Agenda of the meeting, and will be dealt with within a 10 minute period Minutes: None |
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Scrutiny of the Annual Budget PDF 101 KB · Councillor Rob Stewart – Economy and Strategy · Ben Smith – Head of Financial Services and Service Centre Find below the link to the Cabinet papers for 15 February 2018, which contain the budget proposals. https://democracy.swansea.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=124&MId=7520&Ver=4&LLL=0 Minutes: Service Improvement and Finance Scrutiny Performance Panel
Budget Discussion Points The following key
points were raised: ·
The
report overall has been written well by Ben Smith, it is accessible and is the best
we have seen in a long time. Compliments to Ben ·
The
consultation exercise was lacking. It was generic and it did not phrase
questions properly to maximise information giving. The way you ask questions
and who you ask is important. Should be improved going forward. ·
The
Capital Financing Charges are a major worry as there is no growth in money from
Welsh Government ·
It
is important to consider details around some investments – for example gearing
of rents in properties Council will lease out ·
A
£3m contingency/reserve budget for next year seems low Schools Performance Panel The following key
points were raised: ·
Are
supportive of the education related budget proposals and of how monies have
been allocated given the current budget situation. ·
The
issue of year on year funding from Welsh Government was raised especially in
light of the need to plan services over the longer term (as referenced in the
Wellbeing and Future Generation Act). The panel recognise that the
authority does develop an indicative 3 year medium term plan but this will
change year on year depending on the local authority’s allocation from Welsh
Government. The panel would encourage councils to work together to make
representations to Welsh Government around developing a longer term funding plan.
The Panel were also keen to see changes made that reduce the lag between
allocation of grants from Welsh Government and actual receipt of that funding. ·
The
Panel had concerns about the impact that the 11% cut to the education
improvement grant will have on supporting services in particular the Ethnic
Minority Achievement Service but were pleased to hear that the authority are
looking to fill the gap for some services from reserves for 1 year. ·
The
Panel heard that some schools were managing the difficult budgetary situation
better than others: the panel felt that sharing good practice across schools in
relation to this aspect would be highly beneficial. ·
Could
look to reduce the cost of school transport by using existing transport
resources owned by the Council. Working across departments, for example using
social services mini buses. Adult Services Panel The following key
points were raised:
Child and Family Services The following key
points were raised:
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