Issue - meetings

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting on 12 October 2023.

That subject to the amendments, the minutes be approved as a correct record.

The minutes of the meeting held on 12 October 2023 were approved, as moved and seconded by Councillors Bernie Attridge and Allan Marshall, subject to two amendments on minute numbers 30 and 35.

Matters Arising

Minute number 34: Budget 2024/25 - the Democratic Services Manager would follow up the request for a breakdown of the £365K cost pressure on Alternative Delivery Models and an update on Community Asset Transfers to be included on the forward work programme.

On the same minute, officers would liaise with the Chair on the formation of a letter as stated in resolution (b).

Councillor Alasdair Ibbotson thanked officers for sharing responses to his queries and sought further clarification on earmarked reserves.  On the North Wales Residual Waste Treatment Project, he asked if any additional contributions were expected to the Community Benefit Fund and the reason for the anticipated significant reduction by year-end, given that the Fund would be active until 2044/45.  As there were currently no approved applications in-year, he asked whether further payments would be reduced, based on the Fund being underused.

On the latter, the Corporate Finance Manager agreed to seek a detailed response to share with the Committee.  When asked about the rationale for retaining the earmarked reserve on solar farms, he explained that this was a specific known commitment set aside to fund future repairs and maintenance.

Councillor Sam Swash referred to the response shared on the residual £0.110m budget which was not ring fenced for the Local Development Plan (LDP).  He raised concerns about the lack of scrutiny and said that if the amount was not being used for its intended purpose, it should be put back into the overall budget.

The Corporate Finance Manager explained that additional costs had been identified from within the existing budget as the LDP process had been finalised, however Members were able to challenge any aspect of the budget as part of the process.

In response to the concerns raised by Councillor Swash, the Chair suggested that the remaining LDP allocation be transferred back into general reserves as a saving and to document the additional items as in-year budget pressures for the same amount.  The Corporate Finance Manager agreed to liaise with the Chief Officer (Planning, Environment & Economy) to progress this.

RESOLVED:

That subject to the amendments, the minutes be approved as a correct record.