Agenda item

(a)               That the reports be received;

(b)               That a report on the financial impact of Welfare Reform be considered by the Committee at a future date; and

(c)        That the Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development provide further details on the policy on subsistence claims. 

Legal and Democratic Services

The Head of Legal and Democratic Services introduced a report to request that the Committee consider the 2012/13 Quarter 1 service performance reports, note the position of the Strategic Assessment of Risks and Challenges (SARC) contained within the performance reports and note progress made against the Improvement Targets contained within the performance reports.  He gave a short presentation on the performance within Legal and Democratic Services, outlining work which had been undertaken to improve performance and areas where improvement was needed, as outlined within the report. 

The Chairman asked if an estimate could be provided of when the risk for data protection could be reported as green in the SARC document.  The Chief Executive explained that it was a specific risk but should be amber or green next year. 

Councillor C.S. Carver commented on the small number of Members who attended the Code of Conduct training sessions.  He also asked if letters which did not specifically refer to being a Freedom of Information request were included in the figures reported as being received and determined.  The Chief Executive and Head of Legal and Democratic Services confirmed that the figures were indicative of the number of questions which specifically mentioned being a Freedom of Information request. 

In response to a question from Councillor P. Curtis, the Head of Legal and Democratic Services said that the 51 new parking prosecutions were those which had been taken to Court and not just the number of people who had been given parking tickets.  He added that the figures did not include prosecutions undertaken by North Wales Police. 

Councillor R. Lloyd asked if the turnout for voting could be increased.  The Chief Executive said that the Authority did all it could to encourage voters and the Chairman said that candidates could also remind the public about voting when they were visiting areas in the run up to the elections. 

            Finance

The Head of Finance introduced a report to request that the Committee consider the 2012/13 Quarter 1 service performance reports, note the position of the Strategic Assessment of Risks and Challenges (SARC) contained within the performance reports and note progress made against the Improvement Targets contained within the performance reports.  She gave a short presentation on the performance within Finance, outlining work which had been undertaken to improve performance and areas where improvement was needed, as outlined within the report. 

The Leader of the Council explained that a substantial risk to the Council was the introduction of the Welfare Reform and that an early estimate for the new Council Tax Support Scheme was that it could cost £2m in 2013/14.  An announcement was awaited on the amount of funding which would be available from Welsh Government.  The Welfare Reform Board, which was open to all Cabinet Members and Group Leaders and other partner organisations, had recently been established with the risk of costs being identified as a key priority for those on the Board.  The Head of Finance said that the Council currently budgeted on the basis that 99% of Council Tax was collected but that it was anticipated that this could reduce to 97.5% following the introduction of the changes to Council Tax benefits.  Should this be the case it would be at a cost of approximately £0.900m for the Council.  The Chief Executive and the Chairman commented on the potential impact to precepts set by North Wales Police and Town & Community Councils.  The Head of Finance said that a letter was being prepared to send to Town and Community Councils to assist them with their early budget planning.  The Leader suggested that a report on the financial impact of the Welfare Reform be considered by the Committee at a future meeting due to it being such a significant issue. 

The Cabinet Member for Corporate Management advised that the Authority should ensure that the public were aware of the situation and Councillor Curtis asked whether prosecutions would increase due to non-payment of Council Tax.  The Chief Executive responded that the enforcement policy had not changed but there may need to be sensitivity around applying the policy depending on individual circumstances.  He went on to explain that the public would be provided with information to ensure that they were aware of the changes due to Welfare Reform but added that the scope of the Council to help was limited due to the Authority not being responsible for the rules around Welfare Reform.  He added that the Department of Work and Pensions were due to undertake a publicity campaign shortly. 

Councillor I. Dunbar felt that the Council Tax collection rate being set at 97.5% was too high.  He was also concerned that the changes in benefits would be detrimental to a significant number of people.  The Chairman said the rate could be considered by Members at the budget setting stage when more information was available.          

            RESOLVED:

            (a)       That the reports be received; and

            (b)       That a report on the financial impact of Welfare Reform be considered by the Committee at a future date.