Agenda item

The Budget Scrutiny Panel was led by Brent’s Resources and Public Realm Scrutiny Committee Chair, Councillor Matt Kelcher.  In October 2016 the panel convened to analyse the Council’s 2017/18 – 2018/19 budget proposals. The Panel have scrutinised the Cabinet’s plans and offered suggestions and recommendations for improvements where appropriate. 

Members considered the report of the Budget Scrutiny Panel; a joint Panel comprising members of the Council’s two Scrutiny Committees, which had been convened in October 2016 to consider the 2017/18-2018/19 budget proposals. The Chair advised that he had led the Budget Scrutiny Panel and drew the committee’s attention to the key themes identified in the report. A response was invited from Councillor McLennan (Deputy Leader of the Council).

Councillor McLennan welcomed the report and the Panel’s support of proposals to accept a four year financial settlement from Central Government and to maintain the existing level of financial reserves. Strongly agreeing with the Panel’s view that a cultural shift was required to respond to the changing funding model for local government by 2020, Councillor McLennan advised that the Council was well prepared. Members heard that subsequent to the work undertaken by the Panel, the government Spending Review had announced an additional 2 per cent flexibility on the council tax referendum threshold for local authorities responsible for adult social care. The Council therefore proposed to increase council tax by 4 per cent each year for the next three years, encompassing a 2 per cent increase and the 2 per cent social care precept. Formal consultation on this proposal was being held between 9 January and 1 February 2017 and would include Brent Connects meetings and outreach events in public spaces such as supermarkets.

Several queries were subsequently raised by the committee. Clarity was sought regarding the proposed approach to achieving further savings from council services. The view of the Chief Finance Officer was sought regarding the level of reserves maintained by the authority. Details were requested of the council’s strategy for maximising revenue and capital investment opportunities from the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL). Noting the view that the council’s previous approach to achieving savings had left the council well placed to address some of the forthcoming financial challenges, a member questioned how Brent’s resident’s might be expected to benefit from this position. Discussing the proposed increase in council tax, members questioned whether the median income in Brent was expected to rise by an equivalent 4 per cent over the same period and whether the Lead Member anticipated further increases in council tax after 2018. Further details were sought of the anticipated revenue stream from the charge for bulky waste collection and of how the council aimed to reduce the number of senior social work managers who were agency staff.

Councillor McLennan responded that outcome based service reviews would be used to deliver sustainable savings and identify areas requiring additional resources. Consideration would be given to what ‘big ticket’ issues could be addressed over the next few years. The council was taking a multifaceted approach to improving opportunities for residents, targeting health and wellbeing, education and employment. The council also maintained a council tax support scheme, reviewed annually, to provide assistance to residents. The committee further heard that work was underway with partners to provide key worker housing, to assist in attracting and retaining key workers including social workers, teachers and NHS staff.

Conrad Hall (Chief Finance Officer) confirmed that the council maintained an appropriate level of reserves and advised that questions regarding CIL would be addressed by the subsequent item of business, ‘Capital Programme and Investment Strategy’.

Addressing members queries regarding the introduction of the bulky waste charge, Councillor Southwood (Cabinet Member for Environment) advised that this would include a commercial offer, supported by enforcement and that funds from this charge would be reinvested into the service.

During members’ discussion, a number of requests for additional information were made of officers, including the current amount of Section 106 and CIL funds held by the Council, projected levels of S106 and CIL funds for the next two years and both historic and projected growth of median income in Brent. It was agreed that this information would be circulated to the committee.

RESOLVED: that the Key Recommendations set out in the Budget Scrutiny Panel Report be referred to Cabinet, with the committee’s endorsement.* [1]