Agenda, decisions and minutes

Cllr John Batchelor declared an interest as Chairman of Linton Action for Youth who had previously received grant aid for the organisation from the council.

The Portfolio Holder is asked to sign the minutes of the meeting held on 11 November 2010 as a correct record.

The minutes of the meeting held on 11 November 2010 were agreed as a correct record. 

The Leader endorsed the Revenue Estimates for 2011/12 and the Capital Programme up to 2015/16, relating to services within his Portfolio and RECOMMENDED them to Cabinet and Council at their February 2011 meetings.

John Garnham, Principal Accountant (General Fund and Projects) was in attendance for this item.

The Leader considered a report on the Revenue Estimates for 2011-12 and the Capital Programme up to 2015-16.

Those present discussed a number of issues arising from the report and its accompanying appendices, including the following:

·         It was noted that the figure in para 26 of the report should read £4,700 and not £8,170 as stated. The original figure of £8,170 had been offset by a decrease in recharges of £3,470

·         As a result of the government’s withdrawal of the LPSA grant, a budget variance of £8,170 would be covered by either a virement or saving within the Policy & Performance Portfolio

·         Projects listed in appendix B to the report had been funded partly from revenue and partly from capital receipts

·         Confirmation was given that funding in respect of domestic violence remained

·         It was noted that, of the total net revenue expenditure for the Leader’s Portfolio, some 75% related to re-charging approved by the Finance & Staffing Portfolio Holder on 14 December 2010

·         It was noted that village facility grants had been reflected in the New Communities Portfolio

·         It was anticipated that small grants would still be made available to communities; the forms, however, would be reviewed and possibly made simpler. The Leader requested a more detailed report for consideration at his next meeting on 31 March 2011, including criteria regarding applicants. GB to action

·         It was noted that details regarding government grants, including the New Homes Bonus were awaited

·         The Leader paid tribute to the Partnerships Manager and Principal Accountant for the way in which the process had been managed following the loss of LPSA funding

The Leader endorsed the Revenue Estimates for 2011/12 and the Capital Programme up to 2015/16, relating to services within his Portfolio and RECOMMENDED them to Cabinet and Council at their February 2011 meetings.

The Leader ENDORSED the actions contained within the Community and Customer Services Draft Service Plan 2011/12.

The Community and Customer Services draft service plan for 2011-12 had reflected the changes arising from the new agenda of the Coalition Government elected in May 2010. It was noted that the last two actions contained in the report related to the Leader’s Portfolio.

The Leader ENDORSED the actions contained within the Community and Customer Services Draft Service Plan 2011/12.

The report and action plan relating to partnership working to support children and young people was circulated at the meeting. As a result of the ensuing discussion, the following issues were raised:

·         The majority of actions were either on target, had been completed or unable to be met due to circumstances beyond the Council’s control

·         Consideration was being given to piloting a transport service for youth and using school buses for paying passengers

·         The Partnerships Toolkit had been published and distributed to all Members and officers that represent the council on a partnership

The Leader NOTED the update on actions from the Children’s and Young People’s Services in Partnership Task and Finish Group.

The Portfolio Holder will maintain, for agreement at each meeting, a Forward Plan identifying all matters relevant to the Portfolio which it is believed are likely to be the subject of consideration and / or decision by the Portfolio Holder, or recommendation to, or referral by, the Portfolio Holder to Cabinet, Council, or any other constituent part of the Council.   The plan will be updated as necessary.  The Portfolio Holder will be responsible for the content and accuracy of the forward plan.

The Leader NOTED the contents of the Forward Plan, with the addition of a report relating to an update on Grants to the Voluntary Sector on 31 March 2011.

The next meeting is scheduled for 2pm on 31 March 2011.

It was NOTED that the next meeting would be held at 2pm on Thursday, 31 March 2011.

The Leader noted that this was the last meeting to be attended by Gemma Barron, Partnerships Manager before she undertook maternity leave. He expressed his thanks for the work she had undertaken on his behalf and expressed his good wishes to her for the future.