Agenda and minutes

Apologies had been received from Councillor David Over.

Councillor Harrington had resigned as a substitute from the panel and Councillor Bella Saltmarsh had been appointed as a substitute.

At this point Members must declare whether they have an interest, whether personal or prejudicial, in any of the items on the agenda. Members must also declare if they are subject to their party group whip in relation to any items under consideration.

There were no declarations of interest.

The minutes of the meeting held on 17 December 2008 were approved as a correct record subject to the following amendment:

·        Item 5, Peterborough Crematorium Mercury Abatement, second to last point;

“Members sought clarification on the process for mercury removal. Members were advised that the removal involved a carbon filter, based on a honeycomb mesh which extracted the mercury”.

To consider the draft Budget and Corporate Strategy for 2009/10.

PLEASE REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR COPY OF THE BUDGET PAPERS TO THE MEETING

The Panel received a report which outlined the proposed Budget for 2009/10 and Medium Term Financial Strategy to 2011/12 on which Scrutiny and Scrutiny Panels had been invited to make comment.  The purpose of the report was to review aspects of proposals relevant to the functions and remit of the Panel, with any observations highlighted to be included in a report back to Cabinet.

The main areas of focus for the Panel were:

·        The executive summary which outlined the issues facing the Council and proposed actions;

·        The details of projects forming phase 3 of the business transformation programme;

·        The new departmental efficiencies;

·        The proposed service policy variations;

·        Some of the capacity bids which had been submitted for the forthcoming three years, including those relating to the impacts of the credit crunch and actions to be taken to alleviate these effects, as well as the costs of financing the proposed capital programme related to the remit of the Panel;

·        Also the capital programme which included funding for housing, growth and regeneration and culture and recreation projects.

Members were invited to consider and comment on the report and the following issues were raised:

·        Concern was expressed regarding the proposed reduction in opening hours of the libraries and the swimming pools, and if implemented, what would the overall savings actually be. Members were advised that a structure was to be developed to work out any savings, but at that point in time it was a work in progress.

·        Members queried whether the swimming pools were in fact losing money. Members were informed that bottom line costs for both swimming pools and libraries would be provided for information at a later date.

·        Further concern was expressed regarding the possibility of a reduction in opening hours of the swimming pools and the libraries during weekends and evenings, and would this prove to be a cost effective move as ultimately, this would be decreasing the hours which had the potential to be the busiest. Members were assured that there would be both libraries and swimming pools open at key times, and the public would have access, but not necessarily to a library or swimming pool in their direct locality.

·        A query was raised regarding the charges for internet usage in libraries, and the amount of revenue that was expected to be raised if the idea was adopted. Members were informed that around £30,000 was expected. Members were further informed that the plan was for school children to receive free internet access. Ultimately a broad view of cost versus benefit would be incorporated into the plan.

·        A further query was raised regarding the prospect of any of the libraries closing down. Members were assured that there were no proposals for the closure of any of the libraries.

·        Members sought clarification on the nature of the proposed changes to the tourist information centre. Members were advised that from the three options initially considered, including creating a mobile tourist centre, none of the options had been adopted. There was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

To note and consider any Executive Decisions taken since the last meeting that are relevant to the remit of this Panel.

The Panel considered the following Executive Decisions made since the last meeting:

·        Peterborough Local Development Framework – Annual Monitoring Report 2008

·        Peterborough Housing Register and Allocations Policy

·        Riverside Community Sports Pavilion

There were no requests from the Panel for any further information on the items.

ACTION AGREED:

The Panel noted the report.

To consider the latest version of the Forward Plan.

The latest version of the Forward Plan was presented to the Panel for consideration.

There were no suggested areas for inclusion and no observations were raised.

ACTION AGREED:

The Panel noted the Forward Plan.

To agree the current Work Programme.

The Panel received the latest version of the Work Programme for consideration.

ACTION AGREED:

The Panel noted the latest version of the Work Programme.

Tuesday 11 February 2009 in the Bourges and Viersen Rooms.

Tuesday 11 February 2009 in the Bourges and Viersen Rooms.