Agenda and decisions

To note any declarations of interest from councillors. They are asked to indicate the relevant agenda item, the nature of the interest and in particular whether it is a disclosable pecuniary interest.  Any declaration of interest made at the meeting which is not on the register of interests should be notified to the Monitoring Officer for inclusion.

To agree the minutes of the previous meeting as a correct record.

To receive any announcements from the Chair.

Up to 30 minutes is allowed for this item.

Any member of the public or councillor may participate in Public Forum. Public Forum items must relate to the remit of the committee and should be addressed to the Chair of the committee.

Members of the public who plan to attend a public meeting at City Hall are advised that you will be required to sign in when you arrive. Please note that you will be issued with a visitor pass which you will need to display at all times.

Please also note:

Questions

1.      Written public questions must be received by 5.00 pm, at least 3 clear working days prior to the meeting. For this meeting, this means that questions must be received at the latest by 5.00 pm on Tuesday 11 March. Public Questions should be submitted via our webform: www.bristol.gov.uk/publicforum

2.      Any individual can submit up to 3 written questions.

3.      Written replies to questions will be available on the Council’s website at least one hour before the meeting.

4.      At the meeting, questioners will be permitted to ask up to 2 oral supplementary questions.

Statements

1. Written statements must be received at latest by 12.00 noon, at least 2 working days prior to the meeting. For this meeting, this means that statements must be received at the latest by 12.00 noon on Thursday 13 March. Public Statements should be submitted via our webform: www.bristol.gov.uk/publicforum

2.      Statements, provided they are no more than 1,000 words in length, will be circulated to all committee members and will be published on the Council’s website at least one hour before the meeting.

Petitions

1.      Details of the wording of any petitions, and the number of signatories to petitions must be received at latest by 12.00 noon, at least 2 working days prior to the meeting. For this meeting, this means that petition details must be received at the latest by 12.00 noon on Thursday 13 March. Please email petition details to policycommittees@bristol.gov.uk

2.      At the meeting, individuals presenting petitions may be required to read out the objectives of the petition.

When submitting a question or statement, please indicate whether you are planning to attend the meeting to present your statement or ask your question.

This report seeks approval for the following Business Plans relating to the Bristol Holding Group of companies: 

1. 2025/26 Business Plan of Bristol Holding Limited (company number: 09485669); and
2. 2025/2026-2026/27 Business Plan (including the 10-year vision) of Bristol Waste Company Limited (company number: 09472624)  

The Committee RESOLVED:

1. To approve the 2025/26 Business Plan of Bristol Holding Limited, company number 09485669 (unanimous vote in favour).

2. To approve the 2024/2026-2026/27 Business Plan of the Bristol Waste Company Limited, company number 09472624 (unanimous vote in favour).

3. To note the 10-year Vision of Bristol Waste Company Limited, company number 09472624.

This report provides an update on the current ‘Top 4’ Council transformation programmes: Adult Social Care transformation, Our Families (including the mobilisation of the new Families First programme), Property programme and Tackling Homelessness programme as at January 2025.   The report also provides a look ahead to the Council’s ongoing transformation journey for 2025/26 and beyond prior to formal papers and discussions coming to committee in the new financial year.

The Committee RESOLVED:

- To note the update report.

This report seeks approval to procure and award a contract for a provider of recruitment advertising and statutory public notices using the Eastern Shires Procurement Organisation framework and to authorise the Director of Workforce and Change, in consultation with the Chair of Strategy and Resources Committee to make the contract award.

The Committee RESOLVED (unanimous vote in favour):

1. To approve the procurement of a provider for recruitment advertising and statutory public notices using the Eastern Shires Procurement Organisation framework, as outlined in the report.

2. To authorise the Director of Workforce and Change, in consultation with the Chair of the Strategy and Resources Committee, to take all steps required to procure and award a contract for recruitment advertising and statutory public notices for four years.

3. To authorise the Director of Workforce and Change, in consultation with the Chair of the Strategy and Resources Committee, to invoke any subsequent extensions/variations specifically defined in the contract being awarded.

This report provides an update on performance against the Council’s Business Plan for Quarter 3, 2024/25, and highlights areas of specific interest or concern to review progress with relevant Directors.

The Committee RESOLVED:

1. To note performance against the Business Plan overall, including the theme summary reports and issues raised, and measures to address performance issues to be implemented by relevant services.

2. To note performance against the Effective Development Organisation theme in particular, including issues raised and measures to address performance issues to be implemented by relevant services.

This report presents information and analysis on the Council’s financial performance against the approved budget and its forecast use of resources for the financial year 2024/25.  Period 10 represents the final formal forecast for the current financial year and it is against this forecast that the full year outturn at the close of Period 12 (March) will be assessed.

The Committee RESOLVED:

To note:

1. The council’s General Fund forecast outturn revenue overspend of £17.8 million at P10 2024/25 against the council approved budget of £533.7 million.

2. The performance on delivery of savings (Appendix A1, Section 3, Tables 3a and 3b).

3. The additional weighted net risk of £1.8 million per the risks and opportunities register (Appendix A1, Section 4, Tables 4a and 4b).

4. The council’s outturn position of £12.1 million overspend within the Housing Revenue Account to be transferred to the HRA general reserve at the year end (Appendix A1a, Section 5.3).

5. The council’s outturn position of a £33 million overspend (net £17.6m) in the Dedicated Schools Grant and that this brings the carry forward deficit to £91.6 million. Following the application of the DfE’s 24/25 Safety Valve combined with contribution from the General Fund, a total £54.7 million is forecast to be carried forward at the year end in the DSG deficit reserve (Appendix A1, Section 5.4).

6. The breakeven position on Public Health services (Appendix A1, Section 5.5).

7. The breakeven position on the Bristol Harbour Fund. (Appendix A1, Section 5.6).

8. The council’s forecast underspend of £26.3 million against the Capital Programme revised budget 2024/25, comprised of £20.7 million underspend on the General Fund and £5.6million underspend on the HRA. (Appendix A1, Section 6).

9. The finance key decision (no. 41 – 21 February 2025) to accept and spend £1.8m Holiday Activity and Food Programme grant funding for 2025/26.

10. The finance key decision (no.40 – 19 February 2025) to accept and spend up to £6.7 million DATRIG for 2025/26.

This report provides an overview of the debt position across revenues and benefits, parking services, housing revenue account (current and former tenant rent arrears and leasehold and temporary accommodation) and sundry debt (including adult social care) and details the steps being taken to improve collection across a number of service areas.  The report also provides details of those sums written off in line with the corporate debt management policy and scheme of delegations during the period 1 April to 30 September 2024.

The Committee RESOLVED:

- To note the report.

This report  seeks approval to dispose of the asset specified in exempt Appendix A, which has been identified following analysis of the Council’s estate.

The Committee RESOLVED (unanimous vote in favour):

- To defer the report to the next meeting of the Committee; and that in advance of the report being re-submitted to the Committee, legal advice be sought as to whether the name of the property proposed for disposal can be included in the re-submitted public report (noting that the report will include an exempt appendix in relation to commercially sensitive information).