Agenda item

To note the Minutes of the meetings of the Cabinet held on the undermentioned dates, including the attached list of urgent key decisions taken since the last meeting of the Council, and to receive any questions or observations on any items within the Minutes from Members of the Council who are not Members of the Cabinet, and receive responses from Cabinet Members

(time limit 20 minutes):-

 

a) 22nd August 2016

b) 19th September 2016

 

Minutes:

The minutes of the Cabinet meetings held on 26th August 2016 and 19th September 2016 were submitted. 

 

Members raised the following questions:

 

1.       Councillor McCann – Cabinet Meeting, 22nd August 2016, page 49, Item 9:  Revenue Monitor and Capital Investment Programme 2016/17 Quarter 1, June 2016.  Councillor McCann asked about the comparison on the use of reserves for the introduction of new self-financing to give adult services the help it needs.  The service was always under pressure and was demand led with a projected overspend.  He also asked for confirmation of the 2% increase allowed by the Government which did not yield enough in Councils such as Oldham.

 

          Councillor Jabbar, Cabinet Member for Finance & HR responded that the pressure on adult social care related to in-year demand of the service.  He had sat with colleagues to look at the issues in detail and everything was being done to manage the pressure.  The service was based on demand which could not be controlled, reserves had been earmarked for the service to relieve the pressure.  This was reviewed on a regular basis with the Director of Finance.  In terms of the 2% precept, this provided £1.5m, in Stockport the precept had provided £2.5m which was a cumulative difference and comes back to the question of growing the council tax base.  The living wage had also been introduced.  Councillor Jabbar said the situation was being addressed.  Councillor Jabbar agreed to meet separately with Councillor McCann.

 

2.       Councillor Williamson – Cabinet, 22nd August, page 46, Item 7:  Home to School Transport Consultation and Review.  Councillor Williams asked that as she had done a few Home to School Transport appeals recently, and asked about mobility benefits and asked if this had had an impact on Home to School Transport appeals?

 

          Councillor Chadderton, Cabinet Member for Education & Early Years responded that the changes just came into practice in September.  This would be reviewed in six months and she would be able to provide a full answer at that time.

 

3.       Councillor Bates – Cabinet, 19th September 2016, page 51, Item 6:  Oldham Council Efficiency Plan for FY 16/17 to 19/20.  Councillor Bates drew attention to the emergency fund released by government whereby Surrey would get £24m.  How could Oldham qualify?

 

          Councillor Jabbar, Cabinet Member for Finance & HR, responded that the Council had to accept the government settlement for the next four years and put forward a proposal to accept projected grants.  He was not aware of any emergency fund and would look into if anything was available. 

 

Members raised the following observations:

 

1.       Councillor Steven Bashforth, Cabinet, 19th September 2016, page 53, Item 9:  Priority School Build Programme Phase 2 (PSBP2) – Royton and Crompton School.  Councillor Bashforth commented on how hard it was to get a new school up and running, linked with the GMSF and the situation where the Council could build in additional places.  The Council needed to find the money to make up the difference.  There was the potential for 1600 new homes in Beal Valley, the dilemma was the need for housing but developers were not able to provide millions for infrastructure.

 

RESOLVED that:

 

1.       The minutes of the Cabinet meetings held on 26th August 2016 and 19th September 2016 be noted.

2.       The questions and responses on the Cabinet minutes be noted.

3.       The observation on the Cabinet minutes be noted.

 

 

Supporting documents: