| Item | Description | Resolution |
|---|---|---|
| PART 1 - PUBLIC | ||
| OS 12/001 |
Declarations of interest. |
There were no declarations of interest made. |
| OS 12/002 |
Minutes |
RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 21 June 2011 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman. |
| MATTERS FOR RECOMMENDATION TO THE CABINET | ||
| OS 12/003 |
Revenue Estimates 2012/13 |
The report of the Director of Finance referred to the responsibility of the Cabinet under the Constitution for formulating initial draft proposals in respect of the Budget. Reference was made to the role of the Committee in assisting the Cabinet and Council in the preparation of the Budget. The report set out the framework for consideration of the Revised Estimates for 2011/12 and the Estimates for 2012/13 within the context of the Medium Term Financial Strategy and the Council's priorities. Attention was drawn to the key messages arising from the provisional Local Government Finance Settlement together with details of the council tax increase above which authorities would have to hold a referendum and the one-off council tax freeze grant for 2012/13. The potential hidden future repercussions from the above for both borough and parish councils was discussed. Members were reminded of the three stage approach to tackling the funding gap faced by the Borough Council and were pleased to note that the first target, to find savings of £300,000 in respect of the 2012/13 base budget had been achieved. RECOMMENDED: That the draft Revenue Estimates contained in the booklet be endorsed and commended to Cabinet for its special meeting on 7 February 2012, subject to the further deferral of the transitional increase in Members' allowances recommended by the Joint Independent Remuneration Panel and removal of the increased provision from the 2012/13 estimates. |
| OS 12/004 |
Capital Plan Review 2011/12 |
Consideration was given to the report of the Director of Finance which set out progress on the 2011/12 Capital Plan Review and requested endorsement of recommendations made to Cabinet by the Finance and Property Advisory Board on 4 January 2012. RECOMMENDED: That the following recommendations of the Finance and Property Advisory Board held on 4 January 2012 be endorsed: (1) the Capital Plan (List A) provisions as summarised in Annex 1 to the report be adopted; (2) the schemes listed in Annex 2 to the report be added to List C; (3) the schemes listed in Annex 2 to the report be deleted from List C; (4) the schemes listed in Annex 3 to the report be selected for evaluation over the coming year, with those so indicated, selected for fast track evaluation of which four have already been evaluated; (5) the Capital Plan process be simplified in future with schemes progressing on the basis of the three criteria specified (health and safety, externally funded or reducing the Council's costs); (6) the transfer of the following schemes from List C to List B: - Car Park Enhancement Programme Phase 5 - Larkfield Leisure Centre New Dance/Exercise Studio - Tonbridge Swimming Pool Changing Village Floor - Tonbridge Racecourse Sportsground Improvements Phase 2 - Haysden Country Park Bridge Repairs - Open Spaces Site Improvements Phase 2 - Tonbridge Cemetery Path Improvements - Finance Electronic Document Management (7) the shortfall in funding for the four schemes recommended for fast track evaluation be met from funds no longer required in respect of existing schemes; and (8) endorsement of the draft Capital Strategy as attached at Annex 5 to the report for adoption and publication on the Council's website. |
| OS 12/005 |
Review of the Local Air Quality Management Regime |
Members gave consideration to Annex 1 of the report of the Director of Health and Housing which summarised the key issues and recommendations associated with the recent review of local air quality management. It was noted that the evidence presented to the Scrutiny Panel demonstrated that the current reporting regime was overly burdensome, repetitive and costly. In addition, the fact that many local authorities had no power to require or implement changes because responsibility for the road network and transport issues rested with Kent County Council and the Highways Agency gave serious cause for concern. Members discussed whether the proper sequencing of traffic lights, particularly the Wateringbury cross roads and in Tonbridge High Street, and automatic monitoring of traffic flows would improve the situation in these areas. The benefits of Kent Highway Services reporting on air quality issues when addressing area planning committees was also discussed. Finally, the Committee considered that combining air quality management areas, particularly along the A20, might be a sensible approach for the future. Members suggested that the final report be shared with Kent County Council, Maidstone Borough Council and Sevenoaks District Council in an effort to promote further joint working. It was also suggested that the report be shared with the Local Government Association, the District Councils Network and the Select Committee for DEFRA to gain broader support of the difficulties experienced. RECOMMENDED: That (1) the recommendations arising from the review of the Local Air Quality Management regime be commended to the Cabinet for further consideration, subject to strengthening the wording in paragraph 9.1 of the annex to reflect 'serious concern' ; and (2) a formal approach be made in writing to Kent County Council requesting a review and understanding of the traffic light network in the Borough with particular emphasis on locations within Wateringbury AQMA and Tonbridge High Street AQMA to see if the sequencing could be altered to improve traffic flow in those areas. |
| DECISIONS TO BE TAKEN BY THE COMMITTEE | ||
| OS 12/006 |
Council's Key Improvement Priorities for 2012/15 |
The joint report of the Leader and Chief Executive proposed a revised set of key improvement priorities for 2012/15, taking account of reduced resources for the foreseeable future in the context of the national budget strategy and pressures on public finances. After careful consideration of the proposals set out Members felt that whilst it was appropriate to clarify definitions for the key priorities it was difficult to determine the detail, as much remained unclear regarding new legislation surrounding the Localism Bill. It was, therefore, beneficial to use the information in the report as a scoping tool to enable further comment from Members and a revised iteration of the key priorities to be presented at the next meeting of the Committee. RESOLVED: That the scope of the seven key improvement priorities be endorsed and a further reiteration be presented at the next meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. |
| OS 12/007 |
Winter Maintenance Review |
The joint report of the Chief Executive and the Director of Planning, Transport and Leisure provided an update following reports to the Scrutiny Panel in October 2011. The key issues raised by the Scrutiny Panel were set out in paragraph 1.3.1 of the report. RESOLVED: That the matters raised by the Scrutiny Panel be endorsed and Kent Highways and Transportation be invited to attend a further meeting of the Scrutiny Panel in the spring as set out in the report. |
| OS 12/008 |
Scrutiny Work Programme |
The report of the Chief Executive reviewed the proposed future programme of Scrutiny reviews. RESOLVED: That (1) a scoping report for the review of the Occupational Therapy assessments be reported to the March meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee; and (2) subject to appropriate progress being made with an internal audit of parking management and enforcement, a scoping report for this review be reported to the June meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. |
| MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION IN PRIVATE | ||
| OS 12/009 |
Exclusion of Press and Public |
There were no items considered in private. |