Issue - meetings

(a)       That the Forward Work Programme be approved; and

(b)       That the Head of Democratic Services, in consultation with the Committee Chairman, be authorised to vary the Forward Work Programme between meetings, as the need arises.

In presenting the report, the Head of Democratic Services advised that the Community Safety Partnership Annual Report may need to be deferred to the February meeting and could be replaced by the Community Endowment Fund Annual Report.  He clarified that the Revenue Budget Monitoring Month 8 position was scheduled for the next meeting and that the Emergency Situation Briefings would be replaced by weekly Member briefing emails from January.

Councillor Jones said that there should be more focus on the alignment of the Council Plan with portfolios.  He also made the point that other issues of major financial value within the budget should be given greater focus.  He was advised that consultation on the content and format of the Council Plan would begin early in the New Year.

In response to Councillor Jones’ concerns about the need to consider financial strategies at an early stage and to focus on issues where the Council had some control, the Chief Executive said that the Cabinet report on the budget closing strategy had been shared and that the Member briefing on the Provisional Local Government Settlement on 23 December would provide an opportunity to review the position and future financial risk management.

On that basis, the recommendations were supported.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the Forward Work Programme be approved; and

(b)       That the Head of Democratic Services, in consultation with the Committee Chairman, be authorised to vary the Forward Work Programme between meetings, as the need arises.