| Item | Description | Resolution |
|---|---|---|
| PART 1 - PUBLIC | ||
| GP 11/001 |
Declarations of interest. |
There were no declarations of interest made. |
| GP 11/002 |
Minutes |
RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the meeting of the General Purposes Committee held on 6 September 2010 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman. |
| GP 11/003 |
Minutes |
RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the extraordinary meeting of the General Purposes Committee held on 28 October 2010 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman. |
| MATTERS FOR RECOMMENDATION TO THE COUNCIL | ||
| GP 11/004 |
Use of Gravesham Intelligence Officer |
The report of the Director of Finance gave details of a proposal to use the Intelligence Officer from Gravesham Council Borough Council to carry out enquiries under the Social Security Administration (Fraud) Act 1992. It was noted that whilst Gravesham had appointed an Authorised Officer under section 110A of the Act, Tonbridge and Malling had hitherto used the National Anti-Fraud Network (NAFN). Reference was made to the partnership arrangement in place with Gravesham for the provision of a Fraud Manager and the standardisation of the approach to investigation between the two authorities. Members were advised that the authorisation of the Intelligence Officer to perform the section 110A function would have a nil cost and provide a saving on the NAFN subscription fee. RECOMMENDED: That authority be given to the Director of Finance to authorise an officer from Gravesham Borough Council to provide the section 110A function for Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council. *Referred to Council |
| DECISIONS TAKEN UNDER DELEGATED POWERS IN ACCORDANCE WITH PARAGRAPH 3 (OR 2), PART 3 OF THE CONSTITUTION | ||
| GP 11/005 |
2011/12 Pay Award |
Consideration was given to the report of the Chief Executive which examined a range of factors relevant to the issue of a pay award for 2011 including prevailing economic conditions, comparative pay settlements, movement in the Retail Price Index and the Council's budget position. The Chief Executive indicated that employees had been fully informed of the financial challenges facing the Council. At the December meeting of the Joint Employee Consultative Committee an overview of the impact of the reduction in Government grants upon the Medium Term Financial Strategy had been given together with an indication that a "pay freeze" would be one of the measures that would enable the Council to achieve a balanced budget. Members were advised that there had been tacit acceptance from all present at that meeting that there would not be a pay increase in 2011 and Unison had expressed support for steps that would secure employment and avoid the risk of redundancies in order to protect the Council's ability to deliver its services. Members expressed appreciation of the co-operation of the staff in the current difficult circumstances facing the Council and hoped that it might be possible to revisit the question of a pay award at the earliest opportunity. RESOLVED: That a 0% pay award for the 2011/12 financial year be approved for all relevant staff including those in the Leisure Services Business Unit. |
| GP 11/006 |
International Financial Reporting Standards |
The Director of Finance referred to the requirement for the Council to prepare the Statement of Accounts in accordance with the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) from 1 April 2010. The report set out the changes to the format of the financial statements and the Committee was requested to endorse and approve the accounting policies to be adopted in the preparation of the Accounts under IFRS. The Committee also received a copy of the most recent report from the Audit Commission reviewing progress being made by local authorities on the preparations for IFRS. As reported to the Audit Committee on 12 October 2010 the District Auditor had indicated that Tonbridge and Malling had been assessed as "green" indicating that it was well placed for preparing IFRS compliant accounts. RESOLVED: That (1) the contents of Annexes 1-4 to the report showing comparative financial statements in the old and new formats be noted; and (2) the draft accounting policies set out at Annex 5 to the report be endorsed and approved. |
| MATTERS SUBMITTED FOR INFORMATION | ||
| GP 11/007 |
Performance Standards for Electoral Services |
The Chief Executive reported on the performance standards framework for Electoral Registration Officers and Returning Officers developed by the Electoral Commission. Each set of standards required the ERO or RO to self-assess their own performance against the scale and details were given of the outcome of the audited local performance for each set of standards. It was noted that the level of performance had remained the same or improved for all standards and there were no standards against which the ERO or RO had been assessed as being below the standard in the most recent assessments. Members commended the electoral services staff for their work and most recently for the smooth operation of the by-election in Tonbridge. RESOLVED: That the report be received and noted. |
| MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION IN PRIVATE | ||
| GP 11/008 |
Exclusion of Press and Public |
There were no items considered in private. |