Meeting documents

PRESENT: Councillor D Rowlands (Chairman);  Councillors Mrs Glover (in place of E Griffin), Mrs Hannelly, Hughes, Khaliq, Patrick, Ralph, Smith and Turner.  Councillors Cooper and Mrs Morgan-Owen attended also.

APOLOGIES:  Councillors E Griffin, M Griffin, Stuart and Wigley.

RESOLVED -

That the Minutes of 11th November, 2004 be approved as a correct record.

Members had been asked to consider and comment on a report that focussed on those parts of the Draft Budget proposals relating to activity areas that fell within this Committee's terms of reference.  An additional paper was circulated at the meeting that gave Members a more up to date report on saving options.

RESOLVED –

That this Committee's comments, as detailed below, be passed to the Resources and Corporate Performance Scrutiny Committee:-

(a)  New Expenditure Added to Base Report

Comments on the Marketing Strategy budget are covered by (d) below.

(b)  New Income Included in Base Budget

No comments.

(c)  Service Savings Agreed for Future Years

Some frustration was expressed that local businesses did not appear to feel able to make more of a contribution to the costs of festive lighting.

(d)  Existing Pressures/Savings

The Committee strongly supported the proposed funding for the Marketing Strategy and anticipated that further funding would be required in future years.

(e)  New Pressures

No comments.

(f)  Saving Options

Members asked that Cabinet re-consider the proposal to cease subscriptions to the Thames Valley European Forum, given the relatively small sum involved and the potential benefits of remaining in touch with European issues.