To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Corporate Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 25 October 2016 and to note actions taken since that meeting.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Corporate Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 23 August 2016 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

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To receive a brief verbal update from the Executive Member for Corporate Resources.

The Deputy Executive Member for Corporate Services updated the Committee in relation to the following:-

·         A new Coroner would be appointed in January 2017

·         A LGSS customer survey had been completed and feedback would be used to inform the service plan for 2017/18.

·         A recent Town and Parish Council event saw the attendance of 70 delegates. 

The new HR vacancy management procedure had been launched and received positive feedback from staff.

The report outlines the Council’s insurance arrangements and summarises the claims experience of both the Council and legacy authorities since 1 April 2009.  The Committee is requested to review and comment on the Council’s insurance arrangements and claims experience.

The Head of Financial Control introduced a report that outlined the Council’s insurance arrangements and summarised the claims experience of the Council and legacy authorities since April 2009. 

The Council’s experience in respect of claims since 2009 was generally good and the vast majority of claims are repudiated. The largest volume of Public Liability claims relate to the Highway’s function and a well maintained road network, appropriate inspection and repair regimes supported by good record keeping was important to be able to respond to such claims.

All the Maintained schools participate in the Council’s insurance arrangements which include various policies provided by several insurance companies alongside a self insurance reserve that meets the costs of claims below policy deductible levels. 

The Council was responsible for the administration of outstanding and new claims relating to the former Bedfordshire County Council. The costs of any legacy claims are shared with Bedford Borough Council. The Head of Financial Control indicated that whilst approximately £1m was set aside for such legacy claims over time there was a risk that this amount may prove to be insufficient. These legacy claims will continue to be closely monitored.  

Recommended that any future review of insurance arrangements should consider examples of joined up risk management practices which could reduce overall insurance costs.

This economic update is based on the latest published views of various national institution following Brexit and the recent US election result and possible economic repercussions.

The Director of Resources delivered a presentation that outlined an economic updated based on the uncertainty following Brexit and the recent US election.  The presentation summarised the views from a number of sources including the Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee who had instigated measures known as quantitate easing to support the UK economy.

The impact of any interest rate rise and financial uncertainties surround new responsibilities that are expected to be passed to local authorises as part of retention of NNDR were of key concern. 

Recommended to note the proper and realistic assumptions outlined in the presentation.

The Committee is requested to review and comment on the Council’s Local Council Tax Support Scheme for 2017/18 and make any recommendations to the Executive arising from this review.

Head of Revenues and Benefits introduced a report that outlined the annual Council Tax Support scheme designed with the intension to protect vulnerable adults.  Changes in national trends and recommendations to Central Government that might be introduced were outlined.

The service had improved collection rates consistently and this compared well nationally, however, as a growth area it is anticipated that the collection of tax would increase.  The Service did not propose any changes to the scheme on this occasion.

Members were advised that current and future welfare reforms would impact the service with the introduction of the reduced level of Benefit Cap.  The introduction of Universal Credit, although a small number at present, would also present challenges to the service.

RECOMMENDED

1.    That the Local Council Tax Support Scheme report to Executive be supported by the Committee.

2.    That the Executive be alert to the demand peaks expected in 2017 and the Committee receive an assurance that resources would be available to ensure the reputation of the Council is maintained.                    

To update the Committee on the latest results from the bi-annual resident survey and consider the feedback from customers in relation to their perceptions of the Council, its services and the local area.

The Assistant Director Service Development introduced a report that outlined the latest results from the bi-annual resident survey undertaken by an independent and professional market research company in September 2016.

The results of the survey, outlined in a presentation, showed the Council was making a difference.  A comment relating to safety perceptions was raised and whether the figures should be higher in urban towns and lower in rural areas. The Deputy Executive Member for Education and Skills proposed the more sensitive data results could be ranged and the Assistant Director and Deputy Executive Member for Corporate Resources agreed to investigate the results further.

RECOMMENDED

1.    Noted the great improvements evident in the survey results.

2.    Request that the Assistant Director and Deputy Executive Member look into the range disparity in urban and rural areas.

To consider and comment on  the draft Corporate Accommodation Plan which articulates  the Council’s approach to its corporate accommodation.

The Executive Member for Education and Skills introduced a report that outlined the Council’s approach to its corporate accommodation.  The corporate accommodation plan aimed to rationalise and make better use of the office space available, save on capital and revenue costs and provide a more modern, flexible work space for staff.

Priory House would remain as the Head Quarters and changes to accommodation available in Dunstable would be looked into.  Road safety concerns on the A507 were raised and the Deputy Executive Member advised safety was of paramount concern and improvements would be investigated.

RECOMMENDED the Committee support the proposals outlined in the Office Accommodation Report to Executive.

Agreed the work programme as set out in Appendix A of the Agenda.