Agenda and draft minutes

To receive the notes of the meeting held on 19 May 2021

The notes of the meeting held on 19 May were received.

To receive a presentation from the Head of Finance & Performance

The Head of Finance & Performance introduced the draft Cabinet report on the Council’s current and projected financial position, focussing on the impact of expenditure and income pressures on the Medium-Term Financial Strategy.  

The Head of Finance & Performance outlined the key changes in expenditure and income, which were in some cases a consequence of the impact of the pandemic.

Key areas discussed by the PDAG included:

• A potential cap on what local authorities can charge for garden waste collection, which could be imposed by the government;

• The introduction of food waste collections, required by government, and uncertainty regarding how this would be funded;

• Parking income, which was starting to recover well; and

• Income generated by Leisure facilities, which had recovered post-pandemic better than expected.

The Group noted the high level of uncertainty surrounding the economy as it emerged from the pandemic. There was also uncertainty regarding central government funding levels relating to business rates reform.

The current arrangements for provision of Horsham District Council’s Revenues and Benefits and Internal Audit services expire on 31 March 2023.   Both services are provided through local authority partnerships through a delegation.  Should Councillors prefer to outsource the services at renewal then guidance to officers is needed in 2021 to allow a time for a full “above threshold” public procurement to take place. 

The purpose of this discussion will be to tell Councillors about how these services are operating and discuss the alternative supply routes with them.  The discussion will include consideration of changes of approach or changes of detail.   A report on the proposed route will go to Cabinet in November. 

Councillors who wish to read up in advance of the meeting should look at the quarterly reports to Audit Committee for internal audit and the most recent monthly Revenues and Benefits report (attached)

The Director of Corporate Resources advised the Group that the contracts for two services would have to be renewed in 18 months’ time.  She outlined the current arrangements for the Revenues & Benefits and Internal Audit services, and the potential options available to the Council.  These included bringing the services in-house, outsourcing through a public procurement process, or continuing with shared services.

The Group discussed the possible options.  The Cabinet Member noted the comments of the Group and agreed a way forward, with a view to the Director of Corporate Resources bringing an update to a future PDAG.

To note the Forward Plan extract for the Finance and Assets Portfolio

The Forward Plan extract was noted.