Agenda and minutes
PDF 190 KBVenue: Council Chamber - South Kesteven House, St. Peter's Hill, Grantham. NG31 6PZ. View directions
Contact: Democratic Services
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Public Speaking
The Council welcomes engagement from members of the public. To speak at this meeting please register no later than 24 hours prior to the date of the meeting via democracy@southkesteven.gov.uk Minutes: There were no comments from members of the public. |
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Apologies for absence
Minutes: There were none. |
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Disclosure of interests
Minutes: There were none. |
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Action notes of the meeting held on 27 June 2022
Minutes: The minutes of the meeting held on 27 June 2022 were proposed, seconded and AGREED as a correct record. |
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Updates from previous meeting
To consider updates on actions agreed at the meeting held on 27 June 2022. Minutes: The Committee noted the action notes from the meeting held on 27 June 2022. |
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Finance Update Report April - June 2022
To inform Finance, Economic Development and Corporate Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee of the Council’s 2022/23 financial position as at the end of June 2022. Additional documents: Minutes: During the current financial year, the Finance, Economic Development and Corporate Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee were to be provided with regular finance reports that monitored and assessed the current economic conditions for the Council. This first report only showed actual costs incurred up to 30 June. Subsequent reports would show the projected outturn position as at 31 March 2023.
The report was presented by the Chief Finance Officer who confirmed that the budget carry forwards were to be confirmed subject to approval by Cabinet. This had been subsequently approved at Cabinet on 12 July 2022. There had been some amendments to the framework which were set out within the tables in the report.
The Chief Finance Officer explained that the focus was currently on inflationary pressures due to an unprecedented and unforeseen increase in inflation, fuel and utility costs. In a rural area such as South Kesteven, fuel consumption could not be significantly reduced, although the Council had ensured an optimum price for its usage. The Council was notified that from April 2022, gas tariff rates would increase by 70% and electricity tariff rates would increase by 100% from October 2022.
The utility running of the public buildings and streetlighting were among significant costs and the staff move from the Council Offices was being accelerated but there was more work on a strategy to mitigate these costs. An update was to be brought before the Committee at a future meeting.
The creation of an inflation reserve of £500,000 was recommended for the General Fund to absorb potential cost pressures in the short-term but further expected increases remained a concern and additional monies would be required. A potential pay award would add to the budgetary pressures, for example an increase of 1% would translate to an additional £120,000 and the Council was unable to rely on Government assistance.
During discussion Members raised the following points:
· The proposed action of the creation of an inflation reserve to mitigate the effects of inflation on the budget were welcomed, although it was understood that the reserve was currently insufficient and would require increasing to cope with future expected rises in inflation.
· Could the Council identify savings to help with energy and transport costs?
· What proportion of the budget was spent on fuel and transport and could it be ensured that staff continued to consider whether journeys were necessary or meetings could take place virtually instead?
· Members acknowledged the difficulty in planning ahead in uncertain times and establishing objectives to be measured against. It was suggested that more needed to be done to anticipate and prepare for the impact of future economic events.
· Could the Council consider the selling of any assets to raise funds?
· Clarification was sought on the Housing Revenue Account amount of interest payable.
The Chief Finance Officer informed the Committee that a strategy was required in order to reduce the overall utility costs as the Council currently has a significant number of buildings and facilities where it is responsible for ... view the full minutes text for item 17. |
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Localised Council Tax Support Scheme 2023/2024
This report reviews the Council’s Local Council Tax Support scheme in advance of the 2023/24 financial year and seeks comments from this Committee regarding the scheme in readiness for public consultation. Additional documents: Minutes: The Head of Revenues, Benefits and Customer Service presented a report on the Council’s Local Council Tax Support Scheme.
The Council Tax Benefit system was abolished on 31 March 2013 and replaced by the Local Council Tax Support Scheme (LCTSS). The Scheme was to provide Council Tax Support to claimants of working age as pensioners and many vulnerable residents were protected under legislation. The Scheme was to continue to be reviewed each year to ensure it continued to be fit for purpose.
The cost of living had not yet resulted in an expected increase in applications for Council Tax Support and Discretionary (top-up) Payments. This is as a result of other packages of support being provided in the form of Council Tax Energy rebate, Cost of Living payments, Pension Cost of Living payments, Disability Cost of Living payments and Household Support Fund.
The Officer informed the Committee that there was uncertainty as to the impact on claimants of their move to Universal Credit payment, which is due to take place by the end of 2024. It is unknown whether moving to Universal Credit will result in the Council Tax Support changing (increasing or decreasing) or staying the same. The Officer recommended that such uncertainties were difficult to model. This led to the recommendation for a ‘no change’ scheme at this time.
Consultation was required and this was to begin in August until October 2022. All those in receipt of Council Tax Support will be included in the consultation and will be invited to provide feedback regarding the current scheme. In November 2022, those findings were to be brought before the Finance, Economic Development and Corporate Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee and if approved by Council in January 2023 the scheme would be effective from 1 April 2023.
During discussion, Members of the Committee raised the following points:
· Members were generally in favour of the report. It was acknowledged that pressure is on Local Government to assist residents through the cost-of-living crisis as Central Government was not fully functioning.
· A Member asked why Special Constables were not mentioned within the report. Were the Council keeping the concession for a third year?
The Head of Revenues, Benefits and Customer Service confirmed that as the recommendation was for ‘no change’ to the Scheme, the Special Constable concession would continue. The consultation was important in providing valuable feedback and a further recommendation could return to the Committee if it was required.
AGREED:
a) That the Committee noted the report and sought approval for public consultation of a ‘no change’ scheme.
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End of Year Performance 2021/22
This year-end update report outlines South Kesteven District Councils performance against the Corporate Plan Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the year of 2021/22.
Additional documents: Minutes: The South Kesteven Corporate Plan 2020-23 was approved by Council on 1 October 2020. It was agreed by Council that actions, key performance indicators (KPIs) and targets would be developed by the relevant overview and scrutiny committee, which would retain oversight of the performance management arrangements at a strategic level. These actions and indicators were presented to this committee and agreed on 17 November 2020.
The Mid-Year report for 2021/22 was presented to the Committee on 3 December 2021 and outlined the performance against the Corporate Plan for the financial year to date and included the first annual review of all Corporate KPIs and contained recommendations for changes, additions, and removals.
In summary:
· 9 of the actions were rated Green. These were actions which were on or above target as planned. · 7 actions were rated as Amber, these were those off target by less than 10% or where milestone achievement is delayed but with resolution in place to be achieved within a reasonable timeframe. · 0 actions were rated Red. These were those falling significantly below target or overdue with no specific resolution date planned. · There have been no areas of significant under performance identified in this report, this was a positive improvement from the last report which had 1 action rated as Red.
Members discussed the following points:
· Clarification was sought on the customer experience strategy. A number of Members felt that customers were unhappy with response through the telephone system. · Confirmation on opening times at the Customer Services Centre was requested. · A Member asked if unanswered calls were logged within the telephone system.
The Chief Finance Officer confirmed that the Customer Service Centre was currently open from 9am until 1pm daily and data suggested 8 out of 10 calls were currently answered. The Officer informed the Committee that if there was a problem, this would be addressed and specific feedback was welcomed. It was confirmed that the telephone system logged abandoned calls.
AGREED:
a) That the Committee noted the contents of the 2021/22 year-end performance report
b) That Committee Members considered if any concerns highlighted by the report required additional investigation to be added to the work programme.
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Work Programme 2022 - 2023
To consider the Committee’s Work Programme for 2022 – 2023. Minutes: The Committee noted the contents of the Work Programme 2022 – 2023.
It was clarified that the LeisureSK report on energy contracts was deferred to the September 28 meeting and an update on the Localised Council Support Scheme 2022/23 was added to the meeting on November 22 along with a report on the mid-year Corporate Plan key performance indicators.
A request was made that data relating to the Customer Services telephony system, particularly information relating to the amount of calls answered be brought before the Committee in September 2022.
ACTION 1:
That the Work Programme 2022-2023 was updated as requested.
ACTION 2:
That the Committee received recent data on the calls handled within the Customer Services telephony system at the next meeting in September 2022. |
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Any other business, which the Chairman, by reason of special circumstance decides is urgent
Minutes: There were none. |
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Close of meeting
Minutes: The Chairman closed the meeting at 11:40. |