Agenda item

Members considered the reports outlined in the District Executive agenda for 2 October 2014. It was agreed that the following comments would be taken forward to District Executive for consideration:

Report from Yeovil District Hospital NHS Foundation Trust – item 6

·         Members suggested that an annual report is given to Council by the council’s representative on Musgrove Park Hospital Board.

·         It was suggested that the newly appointed Chair of Musgrove Park’s Board of Governors be invited to attend a future Full Council meeting.

Draft Asset Management Plan – item 7

·         Members commented on the comment on page 27, “…more than fully stretches existing resources etc.” and questioned if the plan was deliverable.

Highway Officer Report – item 8

·         Members sought clarification on the potential redundancy costs SSDC could be exposed to, it is their understanding that we would be liable for the full length of service of any post holder – not just their time with SSDC. This could have significant implications in terms of redundancy costs.

·         Members asked if there was any evidence of costs regarding appeals for non-determination of planning applications to compare against the anticipated costs of this post. Scrutiny also suggested that if the report recommendations are approved that monitoring is done in order to compare the value and cost benefit of having the post / advice.

Loan to Somerset Waste Partnership for Waste Vehicles – item 9

·         Scrutiny queried if the 3.5% interest to be charged by SSDC was of a similar rate to if the money was invested elsewhere, or whether there was a risk that SSDC would be getting a lower return.

·         Members commented that replacing the vehicles must always have been in the long term plan for the company but acknowledged the explanation from the Assistant Director (Finance and Corporate Services) that providing the loan was the most cost effective way forward for SSDC.

Policy on Audio / Visual Recording and Photography at Council Meetings – item 10

·         There was some concern that recording of meetings may put members under more pressure, but it was acknowledged the public and press were now freely able to record meetings.

Medium Term Financial Strategy and Medium Term Financial Plan – item 11

·         Members commented that recommendation 3 seemed sensible, and thanked the Assistant Director (Finance and Corporate Services) for her explanation about Non Domestic Rate Volatility.

District Executive Forward Plan – item 12

·         Scrutiny made no comments

CONFIDENTIAL - Exclusion of the Public

In accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended), the Committee resolved that the press and public be excluded from the following item in view of the likely disclosure of exempt information as described in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act, i.e. “Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

Investing in Infrastructure – Progressing SSDC Projects (Confidential) – item 15

·         Scrutiny queried what processes were in place to review and reassess projects (as detailed in third para on page 64) and were reassured that all funding decisions would be referred to District Executive or Full Council as appropriate.