Matters arising from the Minutes

Councillor John Sargeant expressed his disappointment that the briefing meeting requested on MAE options and proposals had not been set up. Rebecca Redman explained that this meeting had not gone ahead due to the call in of the MAE options appraisal, which was heard by the Panel at their meeting on 3 December 2014. In order to fully prepare for the upcoming special meeting of the Panel on 3 February 2015, at which the panel will undertake pre decision scrutiny of the outcomes of the MAE public consultation, a private briefing by officers on the MAE proposals and service and budgetary implications was requested.

BUDGET AND BUSINESS PLAN 2015-2019

Caroline Holland introduced the report. Panel noted the revisions and amendments to the MTFS and Capital Programme and the budget gap of £32 million.

The Panel were informed that an alternative saving or proposal should supplement any rejected savings. Furthermore, that all savings proposals would be kept under review and any proposals to Cabinet would be supported by an Equality Impact Assessment.

Councillor John Sargeant asked if there was any flexibility in terms of the assumptions made when setting the savings targets. Caroline Holland confirmed that there are some reserves available to balance the budget should they be required. However, there was no flexibility as the budget gap of £32 million could not be addressed through general fund balances alone.

Councillor Stan Anderson asked what impact the use of reserves would have. Caroline Holland explained that if all general fund balances were used, alternative savings would have to be found to supplement the outstanding deficit.

Councillor Janice Howard asked if the underspend in some services was subsumed into the reserves. Caroline Holland confirmed that this was the case. Where there is an on going underspend managers are being asked to offer these up as savings.

CH40 – Housing

Councillor Russell Makin asked which posts were at risk. Steve Langley explained that the 3.5 posts listed would include an environmental health officer and a reduction in one housing strategy post and 1.5 FTE equivalent Housing Options officers. The 6FTE are unidentified at present. This will leave 22 staff in the housing needs and enablement service once these savings have been taken.

Councillor David Dean asked if savings that could be made from back office functions had been considered and if there was any growth in these functions. Caroline Holland explained that corporate services have the majority of back office functions and that there had not been any growth other than in adult social care, which was considered necessary.

CH42 – housing options

Councillor John Sargeant expressed concerns about making judgements about individual savings when the Panel have not seen the totality of the savings proposals and their impact. The Panel should be reassured that the areas that are being looked at are the correct ones. Caroline Holland explained that all Directors had undertaken a rigorous process to review their services and identify the areas they were able to make savings in order to meet the targets each department had been set. There are very few areas that have not come forward with savings.

Councillor David Dean expressed his concerns about how bureaucratic he felt the processes were to seek housing for residents in need through the local housing associations and asked how these processes and the relationship between the LA and the HA’s could be more efficient. Steve Langley explained Registered Providers in Merton do not contribute to the homelessness problem in Merton. The loss of assured short hold tenancies and eviction by private landlords is the greatest impact on homelessness and this is not unique  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.