An apology for absence was received from Penny Burnside (Co-optee)

The Board received a presentation on the Consultationactivity, highlighting the need for continued consultation on the Adult Social Care proposals, and the Board’s role in monitoring this. 

Resolved:

1)    The Board recommends that Scrutiny be involved in the budget consultation from 2012/13 onwards.

The Board received two representations from members of the public.  The first regarding how the reduction in local housing allowance will affect older people with rents, rents cap is too low.

It was suggested that the Chair write to the Minister regarding the impact of this cut.

The second representation asking for the libraries budget cuts to be thought out more carefully.

The Board considered their recommendations to date and raised their concerns over the budget cuts for Adult Social Care and in particular these 8 points:

• There has been incomplete consultation and recommended ongoing consultation be monitored to ensure that the potential impact on individual clients is understood and taken into account and followed through.
• Inflation (Residential & Dom Care).
• Cuts to back office totalling £500k, could delay delivery of other savings.
• Annual Strategic Agreement still not agreed.
• Negotiations over the budget are not entirely complete.
• There is no budget contingency in place.
• The ability to absorb this year’s overspend.
• The level of demand for the services.

Resolved:

The board have recommended that they bring their concern to the Mayor’s attention.

The Board discussed the subsidy for the Riviera International Conference Centre (RICC).  It was noted that the RICC should be provided with an incentive to find savings. More information was requested on the effects an100k cut would have on the centre.

It was requested for future meetings, Business Plans should be given to the Board to allow them to receive further details such as Business Plans for Museums, RICC etc.

It was noted that there is £900,000 volatile contingency which has been added to the Children’s Services budget.

The Board suggested that the youth service outreach grant should be part of the overview and scrutiny board work programme for next year.  The Board requested a breakdown of where young people are coming from to use Parkfield and that this should be monitored.

Changes to library opening hour’s proposals were discussed; there were concerns about the impact on the community. The proposals were based on the consultation results, the board requested more information on this.

The Board questioned if the TOR2 partnership could be reduced but were told this would have to be looked at board level due to the contract we hold.

Members of the Board raised their concerns that the EDC have taken a significant cut and recommended the Mayor to investigate means of funding for employment and development opportunities in relation to the new link road.

It was noted that no Executive Leads or the Mayor was present at this meeting.

The Board considered the outline details setting out were the Supporting People budget is being spent and prioritised including the PLUSS contract. The Board wishes to engage positively with Supporting People and the contract to ensure that appropriate service provision can be maintained.

It was requested that the mayor reconsider the cuts to the out of hours emergency noise service be dropped and that a further sum be provided for a fit for purpose service  ...  view the full minutes text for item 509.