broadland hotseat for finance
TRANSCRIPT
BROADLAND HOTSEAT
Cabinet Member for Finance
Overview and Scrutiny Committee Chairman
28 October 2014
WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT… The Overview
and Scrutiny Committee are tasked with scrutinising the Council’s budget and financial performance. We wanted to open up that scrutiny to our residents.
WHO’S IN THE HOTSEAT Councillor Trudy
Mancini-Boyle is the Portfolio Holder for Finance.
Councillor Steve Riley is Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee
WHAT YOU ASKED… How much is spent maintaining the nuclear
shelter at Thorpe Lodge? How much of the council tax bill is kept by
Broadland Council? Who else gets my council tax money?
Who sets the Parish Precept and what does it pay for?
What does a basic Councillor earn in a year? How much more do the Cabinet Councillors get? How much more does the Council Leader get?
WHAT YOU ASKED… What rights do the public have to
inspect the budget? How does the Council consult on the budget?
How much has the revenue support grant reduced in the last 5 years? What has been the impact of that reduction?
How is the Council generating income? When is the Council going to send out
its correspondence/magazines by email?
WHAT YOU ASKED… How much is being spent providing food at
Council meetings? How much is Council Tax going up this year? Why are you excluding working people from
these online discussions? Who does the Overview and Scrutiny Committee
consult with? Is it effective? How do the Committee prepare to scrutinise the
Cabinet? Do the Committee effectively challenge the
Cabinet?
HOW CLLRS SEE IT… 7% is Broadland’s share of the Council Tax
bill. We also collect on behalf of the Town/Parish council. The County Council and Police also have a share
Parish precept is set by the Town/Parish Council. Its purpose is to fullfill responsibilities and fund community projects
The nuclear shelter costs average £900 per year. We are renting it to bring income of around £6,000 per year
HOW CLLRS SEE IT… A Councillor earns £3,784 per year and
includes £321 IT allowance Cabinet Members earn an allowance of
£5,250 per year The Leader earns £10,500 per year Members are entitled to travel and
subsidence allowances when undertaking duties approved by the council.
HOW CLLRS SEE IT… The Council budget is published on the
Council’s website. We are consulting with residents and stakeholders by questionnaires, and meetings.
The Government grant has reduced by £3 million in 5 years
We have made sure the reduction has not impacted public services
Council is looking at a number income ideas
HOW CLLRS SEE IT… Council does not provide food at Council
meetings. The Chairman donated biscuits at his own expense
Council Tax proposal is no increase These Hotseats are advertised in advance
welcoming questions in advance. The time of the Hotseats can be changed to an evening if there is demand from residents. We thought lunchtime would be accessible to most people wishing to take part.
HOW CLLRS SEE IT… The Committee meets with the Head of
Finance and Revenues to discuss public consultation. The public consultation helps Committee to prepare for their joint meeting with the Cabinet to discuss the budget proposals
Committee prepares for their meeting through an annual workshop identifying questions and supported by relevant staff
HOW CLLRS SEE IT… The Committee scrutinise cabinet
papers in advance and advise Cabinet of their views. The Call-In procedure enables scrutiny to challenge contrary decisions by Cabinet. We track our recommendations quarterly and cabinet recommendations in the annual report.
HELPFUL LINKS Understand the role of Overview and
Scrutiny Committee http://www.broadland.gov.uk/council_and_democracy/3290.asp
Council Spending http://www.broadland.gov.uk/council_and_democracy/4241.asp
Council Tax http://www.broadland.gov.uk/council_and_democracy/306.asp
Councils budget book http://www.broadland.gov.uk/council_and_democracy/857.asp