Agenda item

Councillor Rachael Robathan (Cabinet Member for Finance, Property and Regeneration) to update the Committee on current and forthcoming issues in her portfolio.

4.1       Councillor Rachael Robathan (Cabinet Member for Finance, Property and Regeneration) presented the report and advised that the Property function had been transferred from Growth, Planning and Housing to Finance. The change made a logical fit and help ensure that the appropriate financial controls were in place. The position of Director of Property Investments and Estates had been vacated and David Hodgkinson was now leading in his role as Director of Corporate Finance and Property and a more strategic approach was being taken. Councillor Robathan also informed the Committee that the Economic Development function previously covered by the vacant Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Education and Skills would come under her portfolio for now and this would fit in well with the regeneration aspects of her portfolio.

4.2       During Members’ discussions, the refurbishment of City Hall and the progress in the letting of floors was welcomed and it was asked whether the new Facilities Management contract was going well. Members queried the reasons for the net underspend of £44.571m in the General Fund and was this partly attributable to delays to projects. It was remarked that the Council received comparatively high revenue levels compared to other local authorities, and in addition to setting low Council Tax rates, it was asked whether this could affect the Council’s chance in respect of the Fair Funding Review. Members also asked whether the underspend for 2019-20 was more likely to be in the region of 10%. A Member referred to comments in the report stating that there were concerns about the level of support provided by the Department of Work and Pensions regarding Universal Credit applications and asked in what ways could the Council help. Another Member asked who benefitted from the Community Contribution and why was a separate contract pursued for demolition works in respect of the Ebury Bridge renewal project. He also asked for an update on progress in respect of Beachcroft.

4.3       Members sought further details regarding timescales for construction in respect of the Infill Programme and whether recent market trends would help the Council acquire land for less. Further information was also requested in respect of the Council’s Apprenticeship Scheme. A Member asked why there was not a service contract in place in respect of public conveniences. He also enquired on the number of new homes built to date. Another Member asked if there were appropriate benchmarks in place with regard to local authority reserves and emphasised the importance in maintaining careful management of this.

4.4       In reply to issues raised by the Committee, Councillor Robathan advised that she was not aware of any particular issues with regard to the new Facilities Management contract. The underspend in the General Fund was due to delays to some projects, such as Beechcroft and Ebury Bridge and there was also an underspend on temporary accommodation, although a lot of work was being undertaken to address this. Councillor Robathan felt that the objectives of the Capital Programme were ambitious but realistic and there would inevitably be some delays. She anticipated that the underspend for 2019-20 may be more in the region of 10%, however there were still challenges to be surmounted. Councillor Robathan was comfortable with the reserves available and steps were being taken to obtain a prudent position. The Government encouraged local authorities to set low Council Taxes, In respect of the Fair Funding Review, there had been a lot of discussion with central Government and the Council was emphasising the Westminster specific challenges it faced and it was possible that the outcome of the review would be delayed.

4.5       Councillor Robathan commented that she had concerns with regard to the level of support the Government was providing in respect of Universal Credit applications and there was a full time officer at the Marylebone office to provide support and advice on this. She added that there needed to be more focus on this issue in job centres. With regard to the Community Contribution scheme, the Committee was advised that £70,000 had been allocated to the Riverside Centre and £33,000 to homelessness services. The Ebury Bridge renewal project was anticipated to be completed between April to June 2020 and there was a lot of interest in the flats that were to be built. Beechcroft Care Home was now on track and Adult Social Care had led on the consultation. Councillor Robathan advised that Infill schemes typically took half the time to complete compared to larger schemes, although it was important that proper engagement with residents was undertaken. It was hoped that the current market conditions may give the Council opportunities to acquire land for less.

4.6       Councillor Robathan advised that a review of public conveniences was being undertaken to identify where there was most need. There were two types of public conveniences provided, the more traditional W/Cs and automated facilities. City Management were also involved in the review. With regard to the target of providing 1,850 new affordable homes, Councillor Robathan advised that this was on track.

4.7       Barbara Brownlee (Executive Director – Growth, Planning and Housing) added that in respect of Ebury Bridge, the Council was seeking a straightforward contract in respect of completion of the scheme and it would retain complete control over development.

4.8       Gerald Almeroth (Executive Director – Finance and Resources) advised that there was no published thresholds and benchmarks in respect of local authority reserves and it was dependent on the individual circumstances for each council. He added that it was important that local authorities understood the potential risks that they could be exposed to.

4.9       ACTION:

1.    Details of which officers are responsible for which services were in the new Housing Management Team be provided (Action for: Councillor Robathan and Barbara Brownlee).

2.    A briefing on the Council’s Apprenticeship Scheme to be provided (Action for: Councillor Robathan).

3.    Provide a note on the number of homes the Council had started and completed, as well as a list of schemes on site (Action for: Councillor Robathan and Barbara Brownlee).