To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meetings of the Board held on 16 December 2015 and 6 January 2016.

The minutes of the meetings of the Board held on 16 December 2015 and 6 January 2016 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To consider the Children’s Services Improvement Plan in response to the Ofsted inspection of services for children in need of help and protection, children looked after and care leavers.

The Board considered the Torbay Children’s Services Improvement Plan 2015/2016 which brought together the improvement work across Torbay Children’s Services.  The Plan explicitly recognised the outcome of the recent Ofsted Inspection but also took into account other factors.

Resolved:  that the Improvement Plan be noted and that an update on the progress against the Plan be presented to the Board by no later than May 2016.

To consider the revenue budget monitoring report for 2015/2016.

The Board noted the Revenue Budget Monitoring Report for Quarter 3 of the 2015/2016 Financial Year which set out that the revenue budget was currently projected to be £2.7 million overspent at year end primarily as a result of expenditure in both Children’s and Adult Social Care, offset by savings in other services.

To make recommendations in relation to the Mayor’s proposals for the Revenue and Capital Budget for 2016/2017; taking account of the following documents:

·         Findings to date of the Priorities and Resources Review Panel

·         Further details of the proposed budget for Children’s Services

·         Capital Strategy

·         Asset Management Plan

The Board concluded its Review of Priorities and Resources during which it had received information from the Mayor and his Executive Leads on the rationale for the Mayor’s proposed budget including his proposals for service change, income generation and savings.

At the meeting, the Board received a paper from the Director of Children’s Services which explained how the budget for Children’s Services would be managed in 2016/2017 to ensure that the service delivery costs remained within the proposed financial envelope of £29.0 million.  The Executive Lead for Children’s Services also attended the meeting to give his assurance about the level of budget which was proposed to be set.

The Board was also provided with updates on the proposals in relation to tourism marketing, harbours, car parking and street wardens.

Resolved:  (i)  that the following recommendations be made to the Mayor in relation to his proposed Revenue Budget for 2016/2017:

1.    That the Council become more commercially driven and that it should market itself and its facilities more effectively.

2.    That the Board is confident that the proposed budget for Children’s Services for 2016/2017 is adequate and appreciates that the Director of Children’s Services and the Assistant Director – Children’s Safeguarding concur that it is adequate.  However, the Board still need to see the detail of how it will be achieved and that there is pace of change to ensure that a balanced budget is delivered.  The Board will require an update on the financial position when it considers the progress report on the Improvement Plan and will continue to hold the Executive Lead for Children’s Services and the Director of Children’s Services to account in this regard.

3.    That robust monitoring of the Integrated Care Organisation be established (by 1 April 2016 at the latest) to ensure councillors can satisfy themselves that performance and budget targets are being met.

4.    That, within the next six months, the Torbay Community Development Trust be invited to a future Councillor Conversation to share its outcomes to date and how it aims to become self-sustaining.

5.    That the Council’s enforcement regime, as a whole, be reviewed (over the coming year) to ensure that scarce resources are used to best effect and that possible reputational damage is minimised.

6.    That four street wardens be retained with funding being returned to the base budget.

7.    That the proposal in relation to highways be not implemented and that consideration be given to alternative options for ensuring the long term maintenance of the highway.

8.    That, over the course of the coming year, a review of all of the Council’s assets (including highways) be brought forward to consider how we best use, utilise and maintain them.

9.    That the proposal in relation to the Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust be not implemented.

10. That a review of all of the museums in Torbay be undertaken within the next six months.

11. That a review of how to make a significant reduction in the budget for recreation  ...  view the full minutes text for item 46.

To consider the Capital Investment Plan monitoring report for 2015/2016.

The Board considered the Capital Plan update for Quarter 3 of 2015/2016 which included the draft Capital Strategy for 2016/2017, the Capital Plan 2016/2017 – 2019/2020 and the Corporate Asset Management Plan 2015-2019.  It was noted that the Council’s four year Capital Plan is updated each quarter throughout the year.  This report set out a number of recommendations that the Mayor was proposing to make to the Council.

Resolved:  (i)  that the following recommendations be made to the Mayor in relation to his proposed Capital Plan Budget (including the Capital Strategy and the Corporate Asset Management Plan):

1.    That, in relation to the proposed Investment Fund, the allocation of the Fund, if the criteria is met, be agreed by the Executive Director – Operations and Finance in consultation with the Chief Finance Officer and the Mayor, Group Leaders and Overview and Scrutiny Co-ordinator and that any investment over £1 million would require the agreement of Council.

2.    That, in relation to the prudential borrowing of £3 million for essential capital repairs, the allocation of the budget be agreed by the Executive Head – Business Services in consultation with the Chief Finance Officer and the Mayor, Group Leaders and Overview and Scrutiny Co-ordinator.

3.    That the proposal to allocate the Disabled Facilities Grant reserve to support capital “invest to save” initiatives in children’s and adults social care be not implemented at this time and that evidence be provided to the Overview and Scrutiny Board that the current level of funding for Disabled Facilities Grants is adequate and that the reserve is not required.

4.     That the allocation of £0.350 million for improvements to The Strand in Torquay should not be supported unless there is no strain on the revenue budget and that the scheme should be prioritised alongside other schemes for similar improvement across Torbay; and

(ii)        that the following recommendations be made to the Council:

1.    That the Capital Plan 2016/2017 – 2019/2020 Supporting Information be included within the Council’s Budget and Policy Framework as part of the Capital Plan.

2.    That the Executive Director – Operations and Finance and Chief Finance Officer (or their nominees) work with the Mayor, Group Leaders and Overview and Scrutiny Co-ordinator to prioritise current potential capital projects (with the aim that the prioritised list is available when the next Capital Plan Monitoring Report is presented).

3.    That the revised Corporate Asset Management Plan 2015 – 2019 should come into effect on the day that it is approved by the Council.

To consider the Review of Reserves for 2016/2017.

The Board considered the Review of the Council’s Reserves for 2016/2017.  The report set out a number of recommendations that the Mayor was proposing to make to the Council.

Resolved:  that the following recommendations be made to the Mayor in relation to his proposed Review of Reserves:

That, in relation to the proposed “Invest for Income” reserve, the allocation of the reserve be agreed by the Executive Director – Operations and Finance in consultation with the Chief Finance Officer and the Mayor, Group Leaders and Overview and Scrutiny Co-ordinator.

To review the draft Corporate Plan Delivery Plans and make any recommendations to the Mayor and Council.

Consideration of this item was deferred until the next meeting of the Board.

To consider the future operation of the Overview and Scrutiny function at Torbay Council.

Consideration of this item was deferred until the next meeting of the Board.