To receive Report No. 193/2018 from the Strategic Director for Resources.

1.    The above report is due to be presented at Cabinet on 20 November 2018.

2.    Scrutiny has requested this report so that it can review and comment on proposals before the Cabinet meeting so as to inform the decision-making process.

3.    Scrutiny is asked to consider the report and provide feedback to the Portfolio Holder and Director

(Report circulated under separate cover)

Report No. 193/2018 was received from the Strategic Director for Resources.

Mr Gordon Brown, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Corporate Finance, introduced the report, the purpose of which was to inform members of the full year forecast position as at Quarter 2 for 2018/19 and to alert them to issues that may impact on the Medium Term Financial Plan.

During discussion the following points were noted:

      i.        Mr Bird questioned that with the amount spent on pool and hire cars, should the Council consider electric cars. Mr Brown stated that discussion had been had on the issue. The reasons the Council acquired pool cars in the first place was to save the Council more than £200k in payments to essential car users per year. Another consideration would also need to be made regarding electric charging points throughout the community.

    ii.        The occupancy of Oakham Enterprise Park was currently at 78% but would be close to 90% by then end of March. The King Centre should have an occupancy of 100% by the end of March.

   iii.        The Chair questioned that the Planning and Licensing Committee had recently approved the development of Oakham Enterprise Park with new building and would that make the occupancy percentage worse. Mr Brown responded that the development was on hold until the Council was sure that the market was right for additional units. Market research was being done and would be included within the Oakham Enterprise Park Phase 2A Revised Business Plan report going to Cabinet on 15 January 2019.

   iv.        The £85k from prudential borrowing on investigation works to determine future property maintenance requirements on Council owned assets would be paid to outside experts. Mrs Briggs confirmed that while the Council used to be able to get funding for supporting costs, funding was now harder to obtain.

    v.        Mrs Fox noted she had seen information regarding match funding for improving boilers to keep costs down and would pass on the information to Mr Brown.

   vi.        Mr Brown confirmed that there was hot desking available at the King Centre.

  vii.        The Panel congratulated Mr Della Rocca, Strategic Director for Resources, and his team regarding the value of the savings made in the financial year.

viii.        Miss Waller questioned whether the Council charged Parish Councils for the emptying of their green waste bins. Mr Brown would look into the matter, he was aware the Council charged village halls, but was not sure about Parishes with cemeteries. Mr Brown would confirm and email members outside of the meeting.

   ix.        Miss Waller stated that while she was not 100% in favour of the green waste collection charge at the start, she recognised that the introduction of the charge had been more than successful, with the intake being greater than expected. Miss Waller also noted that Cabinet should rethink initial thoughts on not increasing the fees by inflation. It would be easier for the public for an inflation increase rather than a larger sudden increase later down the line. Mr Brown confirmed it had been discussed at the Green Waste Project Group but that small inflationary charges every year of may be less preferable than say a £1 increase every few years.

    x.        Mr Brown confirmed that there had been no significant increase in fly-tipping since the introduction of the green waste collection charge.

RESOLVED

That the Panel NOTED the report.