Meeting documents

To receive the minutes of a meeting of the Policy Advisory Group held on 14 June 2012.

The Part I minutes of the meeting of the Policy Advisory Group (PAG) held on 14 June 2012 were received.

Following a question from a member in connection with minute 59 – Dropmore Road Depot Waste Services - the PAG was advised that additional costs were being incurred by the Council as a result of the decision of the Planning Committee not to approve the planning application to redevelop the site. Details of the additional costs, which were still being calculated, would be included in a report due to be submitted to the meeting of the Cabinet on 16 October 2012.

To consider report of the Director of Resources.

The PAG received a report providing information on the Council’s income collection performance in 2011/12 and debt position as at 31 March 2012.

A table in paragraph 4.1 of the report provided details of the income collected from taxpayers/customers in 2011/12 against the collection targets set. The PAG, after noting that there had been a slight fall in the collection rates for the reasons given in paragraph 4.2, was assured that there had been an improvement in recovery rates since March.

 Following a request from a member, the Director of Resources agreed to expand the information in the table in future reports to show housing benefit overpayment collection in previous years thus enabling comparisons to be made.

In connection with the table in paragraph 5.1 providing a summary of the main outstanding taxpayer/customer debts at the start and end of the 2011/12 financial year the PAG was advised that whilst the non - collection of NNDR had no direct impact on the Council at the present time this would become increasingly relevant in future years when local authorities are able to retain a proportion collected. The PAG was assured that discussions would take place with the Contractor to ensure they had processes to maximise collection. The discussions would also include the possibility of setting a target for the recovery of housing benefits overpayments.

After noting the cost of debt recovery the PAG

RESOLVED – that the report be noted.

To consider report of the Director of Resources.

The PAG received a report setting out the investment returns for the quarter ending 30 June 2012.

The report, after reminding members of the sources for generating investment income for the year, set out:

• The new matrix for in house investments approved as part of the Council’s Treasury Management Strategy 2012/13
• A summary of the Council’s holdings of fixed deposits
• The value of the Stoke Poges Memorial Gardens Fund
• Long term fixed investments totalling £5 million due to mature in the autumn
• the  downgrading of credit ratings and the implications for the Council’s counterparty matrix as shown in paragraph 5.5
• the economic background.

To facilitate a discussion on where the Council should invest and so inform the development of the Treasury Management Strategy 2013/14 the PAG supported the proposal set out in paragraph 5.7 for Sector to attend a Member Briefing Session in December. The PAG also supported the view that all Councillors should be invited to attend.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

To consider report of the Director of Services.

The PAG received a report providing an update on the work to stabilise the boundary wall enclosing land at Boundary Road, Taplow.

The report, after detailing the funding arrangements, explained that the repairs had cost £17,139 against an estimate of £12,400.

The PAG, after being informed that Taplow Parish Council had received monies for road improvement works, felt that the Parish Council should be approached to make a contribution towards the cost of the repairs.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and Taplow Parish Council be asked to make a contribution towards the cost of the repairs to the wall.

Members noted that the following items contained exempt information which was not available to the press and public.

Part II Minutes of the meeting of the PAG held on 14 June 2012

(Schedule 12A part 1 para (3) – because of information relating to the financial and business affairs of any particular individual)

Land in Beaconsfield

(Schedule 12A part 1 para (3) – because of information relating to the financial and business affairs of any particular individual)

Land to the rear of Broadway Car Park, Farnham Common

(Schedule 12A part 1 para (3) – because of information relating to the financial and business affairs of any particular individual)

(Schedule 12A part 1 para (3) - because of information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person)  

To consider report of the Director of Services.