09 02 2004

ADJOURNED MEETING OF THE POLICY OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE

WAS HELD ON 9 FEBRUARY 2004

Councillors Mrs Angus (P), Carter (P), Edgar (P), Edwards (P), Mrs Elshaw (P), Mrs Gravell, Hayward (Vice-Chairman)(P), Kimber (Chairman)(P), Redrup (P) and Mrs Salter

It was reported that, in accordance with Standing Orders, notice had been received that Councillor Carr would replace Councillor Mrs Gravell for this meeting.

32.	APOLOGIES

Apologies for inability to attend the meeting were received on behalf of Councillors Mrs Gravell and Mrs Salter.

33.	DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

There were no declarations of interest.

34.	SCRUTINY OF THE ASSET MANAGEMENT PLAN AND THE CAPITAL STRATEGY

This item had been deferred from the Committee's meeting on 28 January 2004.

Consideration was given to a briefing note by the Financial Services Manager which outlined the background to the requirements in the 1998 White Paper 'Modern Local Government – In Touch with the People', whereby the Government wished to see a clear and transparent process that promoted strategic planning and good performance between local decision making and the need to meet national priorities.

The Paper promised a new cross service allocation for the bulk of central government capital support to local authorities, i.e. a single capital pot (SCP). It was stated that the single capital pot should deliver improved outcomes and better services.

An important requirement of the SCP was the production of capital strategies and asset management plans and, as a result as part of the SCP initiative, the Council produced a Capital Strategy and an Asset Management Plan in 2001 that were both subsequently updated in 2002.

However, the Financial Services Manager emphasised that it was now essential for each document to be fundamentally reviewed in order to bring them up to date and encompass a number of aspects that need to be addressed. There needed to be a structured approach to demonstrate that the capital schemes were consistent with the priorities of the corporate plan, budget and risk management.

Following a full debate, the Committee considered that a positive way forward would be to form an officer group to embark on a review of both documents to make them less technical, more readable and understandable and produce a worthwhile working document which could then be brought into the Members' arena for decision making.

Thanks were expressed to the Financial Services Manager for his explanation and clarification on the intricacies and technicalities of the requirements for the capital strategy and asset management plan.

RESOLVED: That

(a)	an Officer Working Group be established to review the Council's Capital Strategy and Asset Management Plan to include the following areas:

(i)	Ensuring the Asset Management Plan revenue requirements are planned for and incorporated in revenue budgets to ensure balanced, robust budgets and sustainability;

(ii)	Considering a longer term business plan for major assets, such as Town Hall, Holbrook and any new development at the Bus Station site;

(iii)	Considering use of capital strategy to properly reflect in capping the priorities of the Council and the likely availability of funding; (This could be achieved by changing the project categorisation or using the established categories in a different way to bring projects through in a more elective way

(iv)	Stricter definition of capital schemes should be considered to ensure that revenue budgets bear more appropriate charges; and

(b)	The Financial Services Manager provides a briefing note on progress to Members of the Committee in May 2004.

35.	ANY OTHER BUSINESS

(i)	South East Employers Scrutiny Members' Network

This item had been deferred from the Committee's meeting on 28 January 2004.

The Chairman reported that he had attended a meeting of the South East Employers' Scrutiny Members' Network at Winchester on 17 November 2003. As a result, he had prepared a briefing note outlining his general impressions of the inaugural meeting, together with the Minutes of that meeting.

The Chairman concluded that support for the Network should continue and through the Council's two representatives, i.e. the Chairmen of the Overview and Scrutiny Committees, try to guide the discussions and topics towards those faced by the Borough.

RESOLVED: That the Chairman's report be noted.

(ii)	Next meeting of the Committee

RESOLVED: That it be noted that the Special Meeting of the Committee on 23 February 2004 will commence at 6.00pm.



The meeting commenced at 6.55pm and concluded at 7.58pm

CHAIRMAN