Agenda and minutes

To confirm the minutes of the meetings held on 19 March and 18 May 2015 as correct records.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meetings held on 19 March and 18 May 2015 be signed by the Chairman as correct records.

To note any declarations of interest made by members in connection with an agenda item.  The nature of the interest must also be specified.

Members are asked to discuss any possible interests with Democratic Services prior to the meeting.

No declarations of interest were made by any members in connection with any agenda item.

To note any issues raised during the public participation period.

No issues were raised during the public participation period.

The Panel noted its terms of reference and received a brief outline of the role of the overview and scrutiny panels and their working relationship with the Cabinet.  They also received a presentation from officers on the main priorities of the Council which fell within the Panel’s terms of reference.  (A copy of the presentation is attached as an Appendix to these minutes.)

Members noted that a new Corporate Plan would be developed in the autumn, but current Council priorities related to this Panel’s role were likely to be in the following areas:-

·                  ‘Delivering Where it Counts’

- Council tax as low as possible

- Greater efficiency

- Maintain and improve assets

·                  ‘Supporting Local Business’

- To grow and prosper

·                  ‘Improving Customers’ Services’

- Listen to local residents

- Protect front line services

Members noted that there would be a Central Government emergency budget produced on 8 July, though the detailed implications for the Council were unlikely to be known until December 2015.  Hampshire County Council were also undertaking a major spending review consultation which would also be likely to have an impact on NFDC.  NFDC Council Tax had remained at the same level for the last six years, yet £3 million had been removed from the Council budget over this time.  Replicating this over the next six years would not be easy. 

Efficiencies, financial performance, Value For Money and efficient use of assets would all be key areas for the Panel to examine.  Assets such as the depots, Hardley Industrial Estate and the Health & Leisure Centres would all undergo change.

On delivering customer benefits through technology, members noted the aspiration for channel shifting where the costs of transactions with customers were:

Web per enquiry £0.08

Customer Services Centre per telephone call: £2.47

Local Offices face to face per enquiry: £3.96

As the above figures showed, there were very good reasons to try to achieve channel shifts with customers, but the Council should also be mindful of demographics and the needs of all residents.

There were eight information offices including Appletree Court and Lymington Town Hall.  During the last administration, four of these moved to being managed by local councils, receiving contribution grants from NFDC towards running costs.  The Customer Services Centre received 154,000 phone calls in 2014/15 as well as 24,000 emails.

With ‘supporting Local Business’, the Council sought to encourage opportunities for jobs and economic benefit to the area.  There were 8,000 businesses in the District, of which 85% employed less than 10 people.  Reference was made to the New Forest Business Expo in Lymington on 3 June at which more than 70 local businesses attended and exhibited.  The Expo gave local business the opportunity to showcase what they offered, meet new customers and be part of the thriving local business community.  This was very much a part of the Council’s role in supporting and enabling the local economy to flourish.  On the Brand New Forest initiative, over 200 businesses had signed up to the discount card.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

An opportunity for the Portfolio Holders to provide an update to the Panel on any issues.

Cllr Heron gave a brief update to the Panel on various issues.  He very much supported the Panel’s approach as set out above. 

In respect of the Council’s future direction, Cllr Heron referred to the approaches of other councils in times of austerity.  Some councils had disposed of their non-statutory services in order to reduce Council Tax, but had found that this was very unpopular with residents.  There was a need to find a middle ground in this, and also to make statutory services cost efficient against a background of a decline in Central Government funding.  Revenue generation initiatives would be a continued focus and the Council would work together to deliver the best services for people of the New Forest. 

Cllr Heron pointed out that whilst the Council membership was nearly 97% from the Conservative Group, it was important that Scrutiny provided an effective challenge.  He welcomed an open dialogue and feedback from members.