Venue: Siambr Hywel Dda, Council Offices, Caernarfon, Gwynedd, LL55 1SH
Contact: Annes Siôn 01286 679490
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APOLOGIES Additional documents: Minutes: Cabinet members and officers were welcomed to the meeting. Apologies were received from Cllr. Mair Rowlands and Cllr. W Gareth Roberts |
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DECLARATION OF PERSONAL INTEREST Additional documents: Minutes: There were no declarations of personal interest. |
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URGENT ITEMS Additional documents: Minutes: There were no urgent items to discuss |
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MATTERS ARISING FROM OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY Additional documents: Minutes: There were no matters arising from overview and scrutiny. |
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MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 24 OCTOBER 2017 PDF 133 KB Additional documents: Minutes: The Chairman signed the minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 24 October 2017, as a true record. |
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CONSULTATION DOCUMENT ON THE PROPOSED PRIORITIES FOR THE COUNCIL PLAN 2018-2023 PDF 132 KB Cyflwynwyd gan: Cyng / Cllr Dyfrig Siencyn Additional documents:
Decision: To approve the consultation document on the Council Plan
priorities for 2018-2023 and agree to hold a six-week consultation period on
the document from 27 November 2017. To agree to the arrangements outlined in the report to identify solutions and any resource requirements attached to the priorities with a report back on the findings to the Cabinet in January. Minutes: The item was submitted by Cllr. Dyfrig Siencyn RESOLVED To approve the consultation document on the Council Plan
priorities for 2018-2023 and agree to hold a six-week consultation period on
the document from 27 November 2017. To agree to the arrangements outlined in the report to
identify solutions and any resource requirements attached to the priorities
with a report back on the findings to the Cabinet in January. DISCUSSION Submitted - a report noting that this was a consultation
document in order to hold a general consultation on the priorities of the
Council plan. As part of the process of drawing up the Council Plan for
2018-23, it was explained that meetings had been held based on the well-being
areas to highlight any issues requiring attention in those areas. They provided details about the timetable for the plan,
noting that the timetable was tight. Following the consultation period, a
report would be brought back to the Cabinet in January. In the meantime, there
would be further work on the priorities to get the opportunity to find
solutions and resources, which would be further discussed at the Cabinet. The Council Plan would be submitted to the Cabinet on 13
February, which will include department business plans, it would then be
submitted to the Full Council on 1 March for adoption. It was noted that the consultation would take place on-line, it would also be available in public places and workshops would be held with groups such as third sector organisations. It was expressed that the Plan noted the Council's aspirations for the next five years, and it was emphasised that it was important that the Plan reflected the right vision. Awdur: Dewi Wyn Jones |
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Cyflwynwyd gan: Cyng / Cllr Craig ab Iago Additional documents: Decision: To approve an allocation of £45,646 per year over the next three years (total of approximately £140,000), as a first call against the council tax premium to be levied against ‘second homes’ and ‘empty homes’ which will be applied from April 2018 allowing the Head of Adults, Health and Well-being Department to appoint an additional officer within the Strategic Housing Unit to support the Council to take full advantage of grant funding allocated by Welsh Government to increase the supply of social and affordable housing in Gwynedd. Minutes: The item was submitted by Cllr. Craig ab Iago RESOLVED To approve an allocation of £45,646 per year over the next 3 years (total of approximately £140,000), as a first call against the council tax premium to be levied against ‘second homes’ and ‘empty homes’ which will be applied from April 2018 allowing the Head of Adult, Health and Well-being to appoint an additional officer within the Strategic Housing Unit to support the Council to take full advantage of grant funding allocated by Welsh Government to increase the supply of social and affordable Housing in Gwynedd. DISCUSSION The report was submitted noting that the Cabinet Member was eager for every resident in Gwynedd to have a home. It was emphasised that there was a lack of housing in the county and that Welsh Government had allocated additional capital resources to assist Local Government to provide additional housing. It was noted that the department currently had one officer but there was a need to appoint an additional officer to take full advantage of the opportunity to receive capital funding from the Government towards housing. Also it was expressed that it was an opportunity to use a percentage of the Council's Tax Premium which could be levied on second homes and empty homes, to ensure a supply of quality housing for the residents of Gwynedd. Observations arising from the discussion - It was noted that initial discussions had taken place with the Housing Associations to identify how it would be possible to proceed with the opportunity. - The Council Tax Premium was discussed noting that a percentage of the money had been allocated for housing for Gwynedd's young people, and therefore the plan coincided with this. It was expressed that a prudent estimation had been made of the income from the Tax Premium and that it was around £2.1m. - It was emphasised there was a need to provide the housing needed by Gwynedd residents, and that housing matters had been raised in discussions with the Local Assembly Member. It was expressed in a time of savings that it was necessary to take full advantage of the opportunity Awdur: Arwel Wyn Owen |
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REVENUE BUDGET 2017/18 - SECOND QUARTER REVIEW PDF 75 KB Cyflwynwyd gan: Cyng / Cllr Peredur Jenkins Additional documents:
Decision: Resolved to: - Accept the report on the second quarter review of the Revenue Budget (position as at 30 September 2017) and ask the Cabinet Members and the relevant heads of department to take the appropriate steps regarding matters under their leadership/management. - With the approval of the Head of Environment Department, to transfer (£282k) from the Environment Department to the Financial Strategy Reserve. - With the approval of the Head of Corporate Support Department, to transfer (£54k) from the Corporate Support Department to the Financial Strategy Reserve. - That (£200k) from the favourable Council Tax receipts, (£800k) from the underspend on Council Tax Reduction, (£406k) savings realised early, (£444k) one-off underspend on bids and (£697k) from favourable conditions on other Council budgets, is transferred to the Financial Strategy Reserve to assist with unavoidable one-off pressures on the Council’s budgets. Minutes: The report was submitted by Cllr. Peredur Jenkins RESOLVED Resolved to: - Accept the report on the second quarter review of the Revenue Budget (position as at 30 September 2017) and ask the Cabinet Members and the relevant heads of department to take the appropriate steps regarding matters under their leadership/management. - With the approval of the Head of Environment Department, transfer (£282k) from the Environment Department to the Financial Strategy Reserve. - With the approval of the Head of Corporate Support Department, transfer (£54k) from the Corporate Support Department to the Financial Strategy Reserve. -
That (£200k) from the favourable Council Tax
receipts, (£800k) from the underspend on Council Tax Reduction, (£406k) savings
realised early, (£444k) one-off underspend on bids and (£697k) from favourable conditions
on other Council budgets, and transfer it to the Financial Strategy Reserve to
assist with unavoidable one-off pressures on the Council’s budgets. DISCUSSION Submitted - a report noting that it was the Cabinet’s responsibility to take action, as necessary, in order to secure appropriate control over the Council’s budgets. Specific attention was drawn to the departments that were overspending and the relevant Cabinet Members explained the overspend. Adults, Health and Well-being Department It was explained that overspend within the department was just over £200k, which was a small percentage of the budget overall although this did not justify the overspend. It was noted that it the savings element were deducted from the overspend that the message was a positive one, however the department continues to work on repackaging the savings plan. When looking at the Provider Service it was noted that some residential homes spent much more than their budgets. It was acknowledged that there were weaknesses within the Provider Service but that a report had been commissioned that would scrutinise the department to see where adjustments could be made. It was hoped that a report would be submitted in February to provide a better picture of the service. It was emphasised clearly that work needed to be done. Children and Supporting Families Department It was expressed that the department acknowledged that it was overspending but could not promise that the overspend would decrease in the short term. Two services were overspending, the Operational Services and the Placements Service. It was noted that there was an increase in the demand for services and additionally the needs of children were much more severe than they were years ago. It was expressed that internal scrutiny arrangements were in place and they were looking at the services every six weeks. There were plans in the pipeline such as the Children and Supporting Families Strategy. As a result of these plans it was hoped there would be long term changes. The plans would be monitored more often. Education Department The main reason behind the Education Department's overspend was transport, and this as a consequence of a reduction in the sale of post-16 transport passes and school taxi transport. When looking at taxi transport it was noted there had ... view the full minutes text for item 8. Awdur: Dafydd Edwards |
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CAPITAL PROGRAMME 2017/18 - SECOND QUARTER REVIEW PDF 151 KB Cyflwynwyd gan: Cyng / Cllr Peredur Jenkins Additional documents: Decision: To accept the report on the second quarter review (position as at 30 September 2017) of the capital programme, and approve the revised financing as shown in part 4 of the report, namely: - £1,121,000 increase in the use of borrowing - (£389,000) decrease in the use of grants and contributions - £78,000 increase in the use of capital receipts - £118,000 increase in the use of revenue contributions - (£663,000) decrease in the use of renewal and other reserves - (£48,000) decrease in the use of the capital reserve Minutes: The report was submitted by Cllr. Peredur Jenkins RESOLVED To accept the report on the second quarter review (position as at September 2017) of the capital programme, and approve the revised financing as shown in part 4 of the report, that is: - £1,121,000 increase in the use of borrowing - (£389,000) decrease in the use of grants and contributions - £78,000 increase in the use of capital receipts - £118,000 increase in the use of revenue contributions - (£663,000) decrease in the use of renewal and other reserves - (£48,000) decrease in the use of the capital reserve DISCUSSION Submitted - a report noting that the technical report was part of the budget monitoring procedure and its main purpose was to present the revised capital programme and approve the relevant funding sources. It was expressed there had been an increase of £0.217m in the funding sources since the last review. It was explained there were firm plans in place to invest approximately £33.4m in 2017/18 with £5.4m of it funded through grants, which reflected the departments' hard work in attracting grants. Attention was drawn to an increase in other borrowing, and that it did not cause additional liabilities to the Council's revenue budgets, this was a technical change in the government's funding arrangements. Observations arising from the discussion - It was noted that capital expenditure movements would be noted in the Performance Reports in January and there would be more information about the plans in January. The staff of the Finance department were thanked for their detailed budget management work. Awdur: Dafydd Edwards |