Apologies were received from Mr E Baines, Mr J Dale, and Mr A Mann.

To confirm the record of the meeting of the Growth, Infrastructure and Resources Scrutiny Panel held on 12 April 2018 (previously circulated).

Due to there not being a quorum of members that attended the previous meeting, the Chairman decided that the minutes would be signed at the next meeting.

In accordance with the Regulations, Members are invited to declare any personal or prejudicial interests they may have and the nature of those interests in respect of items on this Agenda and/or indicate if Section 106 of the Local Government Act 1992 applies to them.

No declarations of interest were received.

To receive any petitions, deputations and questions received from Members of the Public in accordance with the provisions of Procedure Rule 217.

The total time allowed for this item shall be 30 minutes. Petitions, declarations and questions shall be dealt with in the order in which they are received. Questions may also be submitted at short notice by giving a written copy to the Committee Administrator 15 minutes before the start of the meeting.

The total time allowed for questions at short notice is 15 minutes of the total time for 30 minutes. Any petitions, deputations and questions that have been submitted with prior formal notice will take precedence over questions submitted at short notice. Any questions that are not considered within the time limit shall receive a written response after the meeting and be the subject of a report to the next meeting.

No petitions, deputations or questions from members of the public had been received.

To consider any questions with notice from Members received in accordance with the provisions of Procedure rule No. 219 and No. 219A.

No questions were received from Members.

To consider any Notices of Motion from Members submitted in accordance with the provisions of Procedure Rule No. 220.

No notices of motion were received from Members.

To consider any matter referred to the Panel for a decision in relation to call in of a decision in accordance with Procedure Rule 206.

No matter was referred to the Panel for a decision in relation to a call-in of a decision in accordance with Procedure Rule 206.

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The Chairman notified the Panel that the agenda items would be taken in the following order:

      i.        Scrutiny Programme 2018/19 & Review of Forward Plan

    ii.        Oakham Town Task and Finish Group Update

   iii.        Quarter 4 Finance Management Report – Revenue and Capital Outturn 2017/18

   iv.        Draft Barrowden and Wakerley Neighbourhood Plan

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To consider Scrutiny issues to review.

Copies of the Forward Plan will be available at the meeting, and can be found on the website using the following link:

http://rutlandcounty.moderngov.co.uk/mgListPlans.aspx?RPId=133&RD=0

The Chair asked the Panel to indicate ideas for topics they wished to be considered at future meetings. The following suggestions were made:

      i.        Areas impacted by national Government policies

    ii.        St George’s Barracks – How it links with the Local Plan

   iii.        Speed Limits & Traffic Calming

   iv.        Create/Re-define policy on new residential and commercial development to take account of cycling and walking to assist with reducing vehicle journeys into the town centre.

    v.        Building Code of Practice

   vi.        Reserving affordable housing for local residents

  vii.        Medium Term Financial Plan

viii.        Corporate Debt Policy

   ix.        Universal Credit

    x.        Weight Restriction Review

   xi.        Passenger Transport Strategy

The Governance Manager suggested that she would take the topics away to be discussed at the Scrutiny Commission.

Regarding The Local Plan report scheduled for Cabinet in July, it was asked whether an additional Growth, Infrastructure and Resources Scrutiny Panel could be organised so that the Panel could see the report before it went to Cabinet. It was agreed that a discussion would be had with the relevant Officer and the Chairman.

To receive Report No. 104/2018 from the Strategic Director for Places

Report No. 104/2018 was received from the Strategic Director for Places.

Mrs Natasha Taylor, Governance Manager, and Chris Wade, Independent Chairman for the Oakham Town Task and Finish Group introduced the report, the purpose of which was to provide a summary of the meetings held on 25 April and 22 May 2018 and update the Scrutiny Panel of progress made and the next steps.

During discussion the following points were noted:

      i.        Some of the “Next Steps” highlighted in the update would now be delayed until after the election period for the vacancy in Oakham South West in accordance with guidance.

    ii.        The Panel were happy to see numerous groups working together on the project.

   iii.        Decisions could not be made without evidence, the group were currently focussing on evidence.

   iv.        The Chair noted that it would be difficult to please everyone, but a robust process will be followed with a focus towards delivering positive outcomes.

RESOLVED

That the Panel NOTED the report, and ENDORSED the direction of travel of the Oakham Town Task and Finish Group.

To receive Report No. 83/2018 from the Director for Resources.

(Report circulated under separate cover)

Report No. 83/2018 was received from the Director for Resources.

During discussion the following points were noted:

      i.        The Medium Term Financial Plan in Appendix F of the report sets out projected spending for the next few years, alongside funding that the Council would receive. Areas shaded in grey were speculative. At present the Use of General Funds Balances’ which effectively presents a deficit on the Council budget were going to escalate quickly. The Council was looking at options to address this in order to avoid the situation that Northamptonshire had found themselves in. The Council will consider a variety of options including being more commercial, looking at headcount, and value for money from contracts.

    ii.        Mr Brown noted the Council would be looking at rents at Oakham Enterprise Park (OEP) and the King Centre in order to review where additional income can be gained.

   iii.        The Scrutiny Panel would receive a report on the Medium Term Financial Plan in September 2018.

   iv.        Mr Bird noted that the report highlighted that there were underspends due to staff vacancies and asked whether we could continue to function effectively without those roles. Mr Della Rocca mentioned that Cabinet had asked the same question. It would be difficult in some areas such as social work, but could be possible in others, although it would be necessary to be realistic regarding the impact on service levels and whether this would be acceptable.

    v.        Discussions were being had on reducing the expenditure associated with paint disposal.

   vi.        Mr Bird requested further information regarding the £428k spent on the Oakham Town Centre project. Mr Della Rocca agreed to provide that detail outside of the meeting but indicated that the majority was for design work.

  vii.        Mr Cross asked whether it would be possible to question Sir Alan Duncan, Member of Parliament for Rutland and Melton, regarding reduced Government funding and how it impacted on services to the people. The Chair noted that there was an intention to invite Sir Alan Duncan for a discussion either one-to-one or with a small group.

viii.        Mr Cross noted that while cutting staff would reduce costs, staff morale was also important to ensure efficiency.

   ix.        Mr Bird noted that there was a feeling from tenants at Oakham Enterprise Park that their access to Council resource had diminished compared to that at the King Centre.

RESOLVED

That the Panel NOTED the report.

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Mr Cross left the meeting at 7.48pm and did not return.

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To receive Report No. 94/2018 from the Strategic Director for Places.

Report No. 94/2018 was received from the Strategic Director for Places.

Mr Colin Dunigan, Senior Planning Officer, introduced the report, the purpose of which was to consider the draft Barrowden and Wakerley Neighbourhood Plan (BWNP) consultation document and the issues identified following public consultation by the qualifying body which took place for 6 weeks from 11 April to 23 May 2018.

During discussion the following points were noted:

      i.        The RCC comments regarding the BWNP had yet to be formally included in the plan. Mr Dunigan noted he would be discussing the implications with the parish in the next couple of weeks as part of a monthly meeting.

RESOLVED

That the Panel NOTED the report.

To receive any other items of urgent business which have been previously notified to the person presiding.

There was no other urgent business.

Thursday 13 September 2018 at 7pm

Items to include:

·         Quarter 1 Finance Management Report

·         Quarter 1 Performance Management Report

·         Oakham Town Task and Finish Group Update

Thursday 13 September 2018 at 7pm

Items to include:

·         Quarter 1 Finance Management Report

·         Quarter 1 Performance Management Report

·         Medium Term Financial Plan

·         Oakham Town Task and Finish Group Update