Agenda item

Report ES13017

Members considered the Portfolio Holder’s draft 2013/14 budget incorporating future cost pressures and initial draft budget saving options as reported to the Executive on 9th January 2013. Members were asked to consider the initial draft budget savings proposed and identify any further action that might be taken to reduce cost pressures facing the Council over the next four years.

There continued to be outstanding issues and areas of uncertainty remained. Any further updates would be included in the 2013/14 Council Tax report to the next Executive meeting.

A summary of new savings options related to the Environment Portfolio was appended to Report ES13017 as were a draft estimate summary sheet, budget variations, notes on the budget variations and a subjective analysis. Commentary was also appended in relation to expenditure pressures and service risks, particularly from unpredictable demand in areas such as waste, parking, highways and winter maintenance.

Councillor Grainger felt that improved efficiency could be obtained by merging budgets for planned highway maintenance, planned minor works and reactive works into a single budget. He suggested that an emphasis on planned major works would reduce the need for reactive work to deal with problems such as deep potholes. Councillor Grainger also suggested consideration be given to having one category of inspector to cover all inspection types. Responding, the Director referred to the specialised technical skills required to assess the fabric of the highway. He advised that savings had been generated by making the highway inspector role a specific role, and this was reflected in the recently let contract for this service.

The Director was asked about the proposed saving of £150k linked to a service review of Carbon Management. He advised that this proposal could impact on the management of energy efficiency activity and minimising carbon tax liabilities. There were corporate implications and the issue had been referred to the Chief Executive for further consideration.

Councillor Samaris Huntington-Thresher questioned a proposed £68k saving on tree maintenance suggesting that a backlog of maintenance could lead to insurance claims and safety issues. She felt that text on possible service impact, in Appendix 1A to Report ES13017, suggested there would only be reactive tree maintenance next year. The Assistant Director (Street Scene and Greenspace) offered to clarify the position, and confirmed that safety issues would be dealt with.

Councillor Grainger felt that too many trees were being cut down for no obvious reason. He had also noticed stockpiled wood at High Elms Country Park and suggested a possible income source from selling felled timber. Members were advised that the BEECHE Centre had a biomass boiler which used wood from the Park. It was also indicated that contractors would normally dispose of wood. The Assistant Director (Street Scene and Greenspace) had asked similar questions (on generating income from felled timber) and would advise Councillor Grainger of the outcome. 

Referring to the notes on 2013/14 Budget Variations (Appendix 2C to Report ES13017), Councillor Samaris Huntington-Thresher noted that more waste would be sent to landfill from 2013/14 (Ref 22 and Ref 23). It was explained that there is a limit on incineration. The Director was happy to arrange for the Head of Waste Services to explain the related details of the waste disposal contract, perhaps through the Waste Minimisation Working Group. Noting there would be more homes to collect from in the future, Councillor Jefferys enquired whether recycling would also increase. Members were advised that overall tonnage had dropped slightly and with more households there would be more recycling material available for collection.

Councillor Fookes enquired whether enforcement action could be considered against residents not recycling, and it was suggested that this would also be an area for the Waste Minimisation Working Group to look at. In response to a question, the Director advised that a previously agreed cut of £27k meant that the Bromley Environment Awards could no longer be held in their current format. However discussions were still taking place with sponsors to see if their support could be retained for other activities.

Councillor Grainger suggested a three weekly collection of waste in preference to considering any enforcement measures. He felt that Landfill Tax had created a behavioural change but was concerned that it had now reached the point of being counter-productive. In response, the Director indicated that it would be difficult to implement a three weekly cycle for collection as this would require significant investment in additional domestic bin capacity. 

Members were advised that consideration was being given to how the Green Garden Waste Collection Service could be marketed. The Chairman commented that he expected renewed pressure on the Green Garden Waste Satellite budget to address future cost pressures, and the Department should be looking at a strategy to have 30,000+ customers for the Green Garden Waste Collection Service. For paper recycling and collection, the Chairman referred the need to consider its combined value for money and the Director felt it important to maximise income from paper collected.

On street lights and signs and proposed savings related to a reduction in non-routine maintenance (Cr £29k), Councillor Grainger indicated a preference for reduced routine maintenance in order to target more specific concerns e.g. cleaning of signs.

Concerning parking charges, Councillor Grainger had seen a survey which indicated that blue badge applicants prioritised improved access over savings on parking charges. He asked whether consideration could be given to the case for charging blue badge holders in car parks. He also advocated varying peak time and off peak parking charges. The Portfolio Holder reminded the committee that there had been public consultation on a proposal to charge Blue Badge holders in 2011, and Members had subsequently decided not to introduce charges.

The Chairman indicated that a further meeting of the Parking Working Group should be held in this municipal year to consider how well the new parking charges had operated since their introduction in 2012. 

RESOLVED that the comments outlined above be conveyed to the Executive meeting on 6^th February 2013.