Agenda and minutes

(a)          This meeting is to be webcast;

(b)        Members are reminded of the need to activate their microphones before speaking; and

(c)        the Chairman will read the following announcement:

“I would like to remind everyone present that this meeting will be broadcast live to the Internet and will be capable of subsequent repeated viewing, with copies of the recording being made available for those that request it.

By being present at this meeting, it is likely that the recording cameras will capture your image and this will result in your image becoming part of the broadcast.

You should be aware that this may infringe your human and data protection rights. If you have any concerns then please speak to the Webcasting Officer.

Please could I also remind Members to activate their microphones before speaking.”

The Chairman reminded everyone present that the meeting would be broadcast live to the Internet and that the Council had adopted a protocol for the webcasting of its meetings.

(Director of Governance) To report the appointment of any substitute members for the meeting.

The Committee noted that there were no requirements for a substitute member for this meeting.

(Director of Governance) To declare interests in any item on this agenda.

There were no declarations of interest pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct.

To confirm the minutes of the last meeting of the Committee held on 18 July 2019 (attached).

            RESOLVED:

That the minutes held on 18 July 2019 were read and signed as a correct record by the Chairman.

To consider the attached report.

The Commercial and Regulatory Service Director, J Nolan advised that the Corporate Risk Register had been considered by the Risk Management Group on 21 August 2019 and subsequently individual risks had been reviewed and amended where required by the relevant Risk Owner.  The review had led to two risks being removed and a new one being created. 

The Committee concurred that the new Risk 13 – Cyber Security, required becoming a stand alone risk. In addition the Committee commented that the Council’s resilience could be improved, if mandatory training was provided to all staff on an annual basis and that any attacks were tracked and monitored. Furthermore, penetration test on the Councils fire walls should be concluded regularly and consideration should be given to maintaining the storage and recovery of data stored off site.

The Committee requested that a separate risk be made for Natural England and the impact of the Council’s inability to issue planning consent. The delays from Natural England were causing reputational damage to the Council; had wider effects on the Local Plan; and could cause the Council to fail in it’s housing development requirements, so it was felt an important risk.

RESOLVED:

(1)          That the updated Corporate Risk Register be noted;

(2)          That Risk 13 - Cyber Security be updated to incorporate the Committees comments;

(3)          That a new risk be added to the Risk Register for Natural England incorporating the Committees comments; and

RECCOMMENDED:

(4)          That the updated Corporate Risk Register be recommended to Cabinet for approval.

Reasons for Decision:

It was essential that the Corporate Risk Register was regularly reviewed and kept up to date

Other Options Considered and Rejected:

Members may suggest new risks for inclusion or changes such as the scoring of existing risks.

Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972, requires that the permission of the Chairman be obtained, after prior notice to the Chief Executive, before urgent business not specified in the agenda (including a supplementary agenda of which the statutory period of notice has been given) may be transacted.

That, as agreed by the Charman of the Committee and in accordance with Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 197, the following items of urgent business be considered following the publication of the agenda:

·         Item 8 – Finance Update (As at the end of August 2019).

To consider the attached report.

The Interim Strategic Director, N Dawe provided the Committee with an update on the Council’s financial position.

2018/19 Financial Position

It had been reported to the Audit Committee on 12 September 2019, that the external auditors were close to finishing their review of the Councils accounts and had not found, to date, the requirement to alter the accounts other than in line with their technical recommendations. The external auditors had commented on how the process of producing the final accounts could be further improved and officers had been charged with making this a priority and reporting back to the Audit Committee when the improvements had been made.

The only major financial issue that had arisen since the conclusion of the accounts,  related to the judgement called the McCloud Case, which increased potential pension liabilities and had resulted in a £1.6m adjustment to the balance sheet. The accounts and final audit certificate were due to return to Council for approval in November 2019.

2019/20 Financial Position

The figures until the end of August, were being produce and the expected figures should demonstrate a continuation of the day to day control of budgets including addressing demand and inflationary pressures. The expected capital expenditure would be below budget and further progress would be needed to ensure the earliest possible delivery of the benefits of the current projects.

In terms of savings schemes, reasonable progress had been made, although it required the remaining schemes to be delivered promptly or substituted for by other valid savings schemes.

2020/21 Budget

The process of forming the budget for 2019/20 had commenced with officers and staff ensuring that all resources were used to maximum effect and that priorities were brought forward for consideration to Cabinet at the end of October 2019. The Budget would also need to take account of external factor arising from national and international economic uncertainty and the growth in the council tax base.

Other Issues of Note

The loans that the Council had made to Eastbourne and Thurrock Districts had been returned amounting to £8m and a review of investment holding and liquidity was taking place, mindful of the returned loans and the potential call on fund in future months.

The Valuation Office had determined in favour of a company wishing to reduce their business rate exposure. The claim covered several years and amounts to over £1.1m. Repayment of the claim was covered by the provision set aside for such cases and of course other Authorities and the Central Government were due to take a share of the loss later in the financial year. The impact for future years, alongside other claims, was being reviewed.

The Committee commented that good progress had been made and more savings or revenue would be required in the future.

RESOLVED:

That the Committee noted the financial update at the end of August 2019.