Agenda and minutes

All members were present.

There were no declarations of interest reported.

a)  To confirm the Minutes of the meting held on 14^th December 2011, excluding exempt information.

b)   Matters Arising report

a)       Minutes of the meeting held on 14^th December 2011

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 14^th December 2011, excluding exempt information, be confirmed as a correct record.

b)  Matters Arising

  Report RES12006

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, questions to this Committee must be received in writing 4 working days before the date of the meeting.  Therefore please ensure questions are received by the Democratic Services Team by 5pm on Thursday, 5^th January 2011.

No questions had been received.

Appendices 5 and 6 have been produced separately and are attached.

RES 12005

Consideration was given to a report seeking approval of the initial draft 2012/13 Budget and included actions to reduce the Council’s medium term “budget gap”.  This report followed on from the discussions at the September meeting (Minute 61 – 07.09.12 refers) which provided a wider financial context as part of the process leading to the Council considering its Council Tax levels in February.  The Chairman drew attention to a summary of the responses received in respect of the Council’s consultations on budget issues, a further breakdown of which was circulated at the meeting. The views expressed had arisen from the recent public meetings and included comments made both at those meetings and via letters and email.  In addition there had been some amendments to the recommendations set out in the report previously published and a revised set had also been circulated at the meeting.

The Director of Finance briefly introduced the report and outlined the approach being taken.  He explained that appendices 5 & 6 of the report showed the detailed draft core budget and various savings options respectively and that these were being specifically referred to the relevant PDS Committees during the next few weeks whose comments would then be reported back to the Executive at its February meeting.  The report set out the current situation in terms of the overall economic climate (previously detailed in the September report), recognising that although these were initial proposals for next year such decisions could not be taken in isolation as events in the next four years would have a significant impact on the Council’s future financial outcomes.  Emphasis was placed on the need for careful stewardship and achieving sustainability during the longer term.  Following on from this the Chairman advised that he had asked for some work to be done on the impact of the proposals which was not ready for this meeting but would be circulated for PDS Committees to take into account when discussing the various savings proposed.

The Chairman responded to questions raised by Councillor Fookes and explained that at this meeting no decisions were being taken about Council Tax levels as this would be dealt with at the next meeting.  So far as security and the Travellers intrusion at Crystal Palace were concerned this had been dealt with in the correct way through the Courts and Bromley had a strong record for taking necessary action in this regard.  The Portfolio Holder for Adult & Community Services advised concerning Mencap and the Brokerage and Jobmatch services for young people that there was no suggestion of any cuts next year although there were some suggested changes to be discussed for future years which were around improving the efficiency of the service under the contractual arrangements.  This also applied to other organisations providing services on behalf of the Council. 

RESOLVED that

1)  the initial proposals for the draft 2012/13 Budget, including the additional saving options, be referred to the relevant PDS Committees for consideration;

2)  the financial projections for 2013/14  ...  view the full minutes text for item 129.

The Chairman to move that the Press and public be excluded during consideration of the items of business listed below as it is likely in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings that if members of the Press and public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information.

RESOLVED that the Press and public be excluded during the consideration of the item of business referred to below as it is likely in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings that if members of the Press and public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information.

The following summary

refers to a matter

involving exempt information

RESOLVED that the exempt minutes of the meeting held on 14^th December 2011 be confirmed as a correct record.