Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Leanne Hempshall and David Nevett.

There were no items where the press and public should be excluded from the meeting.

There were no declarations made at the meeting.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting dated 2^nd December 2021, be  agreed and signed as a correct report.

[A period not exceeding 20 minutes for statements from up

to 5 members of the public on matters within the

Committee’s remit, proposing action(s) which may be

considered or contribute towards the future development of

the Committee’s work programme].

There were no public statements.

Members received the Mayor’s draft budget proposals 2022/23 to 2024/25, to consider and provide a response prior to the Mayor presenting her proposals to Full Council on 28th February, 2022. 

·    To ensure the Committee added value to the Council’s budget setting process, discussions focused on the following four issues:-

i.       To what extent are the Mayor’s proposals in line with Central Government policy, pressures and directives?

ii.      To what extent will the Mayor’s proposal ensure that the Council was able to contribute to the outcomes detailed within Doncaster Delivering Together and the Corporate Plan bearing in mind the constraints detailed at i. above?

iii.     To what extent do the Mayor’s proposals demonstrate that the results of any consultation, research or other evidence have been taken into account? and

iv.     To what extent were the challenges in delivering the savings within the timescales.

The Committee questioned a number of key areas relating to risk and challenges, in addition to existing and emerging pressures, which were addressed in detail by Directors and Assistant Directors including the Finance and Section 151 Officer.  Evidence that was provided during the meeting highlighted that the budget was adequate, however, it was recognised that the budget needed to remain agile and responsive with a less traditional approach in order to meet immediate concerns and longer term aspirations.  

A number of areas discussed are set out below:

DMBC/Corporate Resources

The Committee recognised that there would be significant challenge in delivering the budget proposals due to those risks detailed within the various reports and the Chief Finance Officer’s comments on the robustness of the proposals in the forthcoming budget.  Members heard how the proposals had been developed as part of a lengthy and robust process.  It was explained the proposals focused on delivering essential services such as Children’s Social Care with £5.6m in additional funding to provide adjustments for those savings that were no longer deliverable.  It was also acknowledged that the proposals included specific one-off funding such as that allocated for domestic abuse services.  It was noted that in total, the service budget pressures were estimated at £19.0m in 2022/23, increasing to £22.1m by 2024/25.

It was explained that although a settlement had been reached for 1 year, there was a need to consider the environment being operated in.  It was commented that following a challenging 2 years, there was a need to consider an approach that would act as a bridge to the longer term.   Members heard that there was an intent around longer-term financial stability to provide a sound platform to come out of the pandemic and provide change across the organisation.  It was noted that Government intention was to review the funding available to local government going forward.

Inflation - It was acknowledged that inflation had been identified as a particular pressure, which would need to be taken into account as part of the proposals (equating to £13.5 million in 22/23 and rising to £31 million over 3 years).  Members were informed that inflation would  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

Prior to the consideration by Cabinet and Full Council, the Assistant Director Policy, Insight and Change provided an overview of the revised Corporate Plan for 2022-23.  He outlined how the Plan contributes to the Great 8 priorities in the Doncaster Delivering Together (DDT) Borough Strategy ensuring as an organisation it continued to deliver quality services.

The committee addressed the following issues:

Council’s key ambitions – The Committee acknowledged that each Directorate had been consulted to ensure the Corporate Plan reflected the Council’s ambitions and contributed to shaping the well-being goals.  The Committee noted the arrangements to monitor and ensure these were effectively delivered.

Challenging objectives – Members noted that the Corporate Plan focused on areas to be addressed over the next 12 months.  It was also noted that some priorities were in a more advanced stage than others, with delivery plans and resources already in place.  The main challenges highlighted were timescales and resources to deliver long term ambitions, particularly the environmental priorities including de-carbonising housing stock across all sectors.  The Committee stressed it was essential to ensure incremental foundations were in place to build upon, year on year.

To ensure deliverability, the Committee highlighted the importance of the Team Doncaster Partnership Model, being fit for purpose.  Members noted that the principles of the Corporate Plan underpin how the Local Authority supports and was aligned to Doncaster Delivering Together, ensuring it’s approach was moving in the same direction as it’s partners. 

It was also acknowledged that resources were sought at a regional level.  For example, the Council was currently working closely with the Mayoral Combined Authority on the Investment Strategy and where fairness principles would soon be agreed in terms of a share of the allocation, to meet each authorities’ needs.

The Committee agreed that partnership working had significantly improved over the last few years, particularly whilst working on the Covid response, climate change, health and social care reform and the Levelling Up Fund.

Locality working – the Committee noted the way the Authority was thinking about it values and approach to ensure success through locality working.  Members learnt that some issues had already been implemented, for example, the delivery of locality plans, approving lead roles for Directors and addressing how the Authority continues to engage with its communities.

Links between the Council’s different strategic plans - the Committee was pleased to note the process to link the borough wide strategic objectives with the actions of individual employees at all levels ultimately through targets and Personal Development Reviews.  It was emphasised that wider communication with staff, for example, through Team Meetings to familiarise employees with the final Corporate Plan content was essential to its success.

Delivery of the Key Priorities 2022-23 – Members were reassured that progress towards delivering the priorities set out in the Corporate Plan’s goals would be delivered and monitored through the Council’s own performance management framework.  In particular, this would provide Overview and Scrutiny with the opportunity to review progress when it considers the quarterly Finance  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

The Chair presented the Overview and Scrutiny Work Plan and the Council’s Forward Plan of key decisions for the Committee’s attention.

RESOLVED:  That the report, be noted.