Meeting documents

The Committee will examine a progress report on the implementation of the recommendations from Budget Scrutiny 2018 after 6 months. Members will have the opportunity to question the Cabinet Member and the Director of Finance and Procurement, before discussing and allocating a RAG (Red, Amber, Green) status for the progress of each recommendation.

Contributors:

Mr John Chilver, Cabinet Member for Resources
Mr Richard Ambrose, Director of Finance & Procurement

Papers:

Report attached.

The Chairman welcomed Mr Martin Tett, Leader of Buckinghamshire County Council, Mr John Chilver, Cabinet Member for Resources and Mr Richard Ambrose, Director of Finance and Procurement to the meeting.  The Chairman asked to review the progress of the recommendations made by the Committee regarding the 2018/2019 budget.

• Recommendation 1- The Chairman explained that the focus of this recommendation was that the Council should move to a system of monthly accruals accounting as this would give a more accurate picture, than the Council’s current method which relied on forecasting. The Director of Finance and Procurement explained that Cabinet did not believe this was appropriate because accruals accounting was very resource intensive and was more suited to private business, where profit was the driver and where income could be directly matched to services delivered.  An independent review had confirmed that the Council had the right approach but internal budget management processes had been tightened to ensure more accurate forecasting and to enable mitigating action to be taken much earlier.

• Recommendation 2-  A member asked what the current situation was in terms of the budget book.   The Director of Finance and Procurement explained that officers would produce a Budget Book which would split out key elements of the budget and provide figures around average unit costs and numbers of clients etc.  This would not be over-detailed but would enhance transparency. The Leader of the Council noted that Budget Scrutiny at Buckinghamshire County Council was far more rigorous and detailed than most other authorities.  It was noted that the Director of Finance and Procurement’s daily briefings ahead of Budget Scrutiny sessions with each individual Cabinet Member, were very helpful to the Committee.

• Recommendation 4- It was noted that exit interviews could not be made mandatory, however manager’s had been set new DSP objectives which included an improved focus on exit interviews. The Director of HR would be undertaking analysis of exit interviews and would report any trends into CMT.  

• Recommendation 5- It was noted that progress had been made in establishing an Information and Technology Board, which would meet for the first time in September. Business plans from service areas for resource allocation and approval would be considered by the Board going forward.

• Recommendation 8- The Director of Finance and Procurement acknowledged that an independent review had not taken place. However the Business intelligence teams had undertaken a number of benchmarking exercises and a review of forecasting procedures had been completed.  It was noted that most other local authorities with social care responsibilities were experiencing the same budget pressures.  When asked if an independent review would be considered in future, the Leader commented that he would only commission one if it represented good value for money.

·         Recommendation 9-  The members discussed Home to School transport.  Changes to policy were being considered but it was a very complex area and parents would need to be consulted. Proposals would be considered at Cabinet shortly.

·         Recommendations 11 & 12- Members commented that the additional funding for gulley emptying was welcomed. It was noted that TfB followed a risk based maintenance programme.  With regards to weed management, it was acknowledged that the budget remained very limited.  The member for the Risboroughs reported that he has found a very effective method of weed management in his area. It was agreed that he would discuss this with the Cabinet Member to investigate if it might be feasible to replicate it elsewhere. 

ACTION:  Mr Bendyshe-Brown

The Chairman thanked Mr.Tett, Mr.Chilver and Mr. Ambrose for attending the meeting.

The Committee AGREED that the Chairman and Committee and Governance Adviser would draft the RAG status for the recommendations after the meeting and then circulate them to the Committee.

ACTION: Chairman/Committee & Governance  Adviser