Agenda and minutes

Members and officers must declare any pecuniary or personal interest in any business on the agenda.  They should also make declarations at any stage such an interest becomes apparent during the meeting.  Consideration should be given to leaving the meeting if the nature of the interest warrants it.  If in doubt please contact Democratic Services before the meeting.

32.1     In accordance with the code of conduct, the following personal interest was declared: -

32.2     Cllr Waight in respect of item 5, Council Plan and Draft Budget 2024/25 – as a member of Worthing Borough Council.

The Committee is asked to agree the minutes of the meeting held on 27 November 2023 (cream paper).

33.1     Resolved – That the Minutes of the meeting held on 27 November 2023 be approved as a correct record and that they be signed by the Chairman.

The Committee is asked to note the responses to recommendations made at previous meetings of the Committee.

34.1    Resolved – That the Committee notes the responses.

The draft budget for 2024/25 is presented to the Committee for preview and endorsement ahead of agreement and approval of the Budget at Cabinet on 30 January 2024 and County Council on 16 February 2024.

The Committee should consider the detail included within the enclosed pack and presented by the Director of Finance and Support Services in order to agree any comments or issues it wishes the Cabinet to take into account when it considers the Council Plan and draft Revenue Budget 2024/25, draft Capital Strategy 2024/25 to 2028/29 and draft Treasury Management Strategy Statement for 2024/25.

35.1     The Committee considered a report by the Director of Finance and Support Services (copy appended to the signed minutes).

35.2     Summary of responses to members’ questions and comments: -

•        The Council Plan and Budget 2024/25 is stated as being underpinned by a cross cutting theme of protecting the environment as opposed to tackling climate change as in previous years – as a result of a review of the Council Plan this has been changed to widen the Plan’s focus, concentrate on the county of West Sussex and to give residents a greater understanding of what climate change encompasses. The change covers a wider range of issues with an identifiable set of actions whilst maintaining the environment as a priority issue for the Council.

•        Projects included within the Capital Programme support the environment and climate change remaining an important priority for the Council. An extra £50k is being put into the revenue budget to support the delivery of protecting the environment by working with partners on the local nature recovery strategy, biodiversity and flooding etc in order to tackle climate change and increase biodiversity. Two Members of the committee did not support the change of wording for the priority.

•        In the recent public consultation undertaken on the priorities included in the Council Plan and the draft budget proposals, Adults’ Social Care (including Public Health) was the second most common service area selected for less funding, but the Council has to meet its statutory duties in these areas meaning it has to spend 64% of its budget on this service area

•        It was difficult to make the distinction between statutory and non-statutory services in the consultation. It was hoped this would be made clearer in future – Action: The Chief Executive to share the consultation survey with the Committee

•        The Council Plan does not mention the possibility of an additional runway at Gatwick Airport and the impact that could have on the county’s economy Action: to be considered for inclusion in a future review of the Plan

•        The Council Tax base is calculated by taking into account a variety of factors including the number of projected new homes, number of Council Tax reduction claimants and other discounts schemes available in each District/Borough Council

•        There has been a smaller increase in the Council Tax base than in previous years. The impact of water neutrality regulations on planning applications has resulted in  lower than forecast increases in those areas affected

•        Actual tax base figures won’t be available from the district and borough councils until April/May so the County Council has assumed a 0.5% Council Tax base increase for future years in the 2024/25 budget, officers will continue to monitor and adjust the projections as appropriate

•        The 12.6% increase in the charge for cycle training is above inflation in order to fully recover costs. There has been an under-recovery in previous years.

•        Additional Government funding which was set aside to cover the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 35.

The Committee is asked to review its current draft work programme taking into account the scrutiny checklist (Appendix A) and highlight any further possible items for future scrutiny.

If any member puts forward such an item, the Committee’s role at this meeting is to assess, briefly, whether to refer the matter to its Business Planning Group to consider in detail.

The Committee is also asked to review the Forward Plan of Key Decisions (Appendix B) and consider whether it wishes to enquire about any of the forthcoming decisions within its portfolio.

36.1     The Committee considered an extract of the Forward Plan of Key Decisions and Work Programme (copies appended to the signed Minutes).

36.2       Resolved – that the Committee notes the Forward Plan of Key Decisions and its work programme.

The next meeting of the Committee will be at 10.30am on 8 March 2024 at County Hall, Chichester.  Probable agenda items include: -

·         Quarterly Performance and Resources Report (PRR)

·         IT and Digitisation Strategy

·         Social Value and Procurement Strategy

Any member wishing to place an item on the agenda for the meeting must notify the Director of Law and Assurance by 22 February 2024.

The Committee notes its next meeting will take place on 8 March 2024, commencing at 10.30am.