Agenda item

Following a brief introduction from officers, Members went on to scrutinise the budget proposals for the Resources and People Directorates, as well as the Corporate Risk Register.  The key points were as follows;

• BE6 - Plans were in place to make savings by freezing incremental pay rises for senior managers.
• BE43 – The Council was owed a substantial sum from outstanding debts, mainly in relation to Adult Social Care.  The payments would be recovered sensitively and more cohesive systems would be introduced going forward. It was agreed that additional details of the scheme would be provided in due course.
• FP01 – The proposal to save £4.4m from the Neighbourhood’s budget by introducing efficiencies would be delivered by reducing support to some external organisations (as approved 3 years ago) and seeking better value for money from contracts.  The savings for 18/19 had already been identified. Any surplus from Bristol Waste Company  would be reviewed towards the end of the period.
• FP14 – The proposal to establish an in-house debt collection service would aim to make the process more ethical and reduce stress for families, whilst also reducing costs by seeking solutions and requiring fewer house visits.
• FP32 – The budget to assist families with ‘no recourse to public funds’ was being reduced, however, the intention was that more money would be reclaimed from the Home Office so the level of service provision would not be affected.  A policy for the future was being prepared and would be circulated to Members for comment. 
• FP33/37 – It was right to look at ways to enable people to stay in their own homes whilst reducing costs, but not if there were knock on effects on other services such as the NHS. Within the last 6 months there were 60 fewer users in residential care.
• RS02 – The road maintenance budget included provision for tree pollarding and reduction of epicormic growth during 18/19, after which the longer term plan for trees would be agreed.
• RS14 – The closure of all Citizen Service Points bar that at Temple Street may inconvenience some residents although the Customer Service Call Centre could assist in most instances.
• RS15 – The outcomes around the consultation re the proposal to remove discretionary rate relief on business rates for charities, voluntary groups and not for profit organisations would be available in late January 18.   The suggestion was that rate relief be withdrawn for organisations with turnover of £100k or more but a Cabinet paper setting out the details of the policy would be prepared in due course.
• IN25 – The plans to increase the admission fees at Red Lodge and the Georgian House Museum had led to concerns being raised that visitor numbers would reduce, which would be counterproductive, although the Cabinet Member was confident the savings could be delivered.
• IN30 – The Bristol Platform to increase use of volunteers across the city was in the early stages but it could potentially bring in significant income (e.g. York were raising £90k a year for a similar scheme).
• PE02 – The additional funding identified to support the Special Educational Needs programme was not due to commence until 19/20.

Risk Matrix

• BR9/10 – Work was underway to assess the steps that needed to be taken to better protect the city from flooding and funds had been set aside for any necessary works.  This would include improvements to the Chocolate Path.  It was suggested that Flood Risk could be the focus of a potential Scrutiny Task and Finish Group.
• BR14 – The introduction of the General Data Protection Regulations was being managed to minimise the risk to the organisation.  
• BR19 – the Council had in the past experienced issues with delivery of major projects on time and within budget so now a more cautious position would be adopted based on the assumption that additional investment would be required. ‘Health checks’ would also be conducted during large scale schemes so that issues could be spotted earlier.
• BR20 – Joint working was taking place with the Core Cities to increase understanding of the impact of Brexit.  A report to summarise the findings would be provided in due course.
• BR21/22 – The Council was planning to increase its investment in ‘spend to save’ initiatives.

RESOLVED;

That the Scrutiny comments on the 18/19 budget proposals detailed above be referred to the Cabinet for their consideration.