JOINT FINANCE AND SUPPORT SERVICES LEAD MEMBER BRIEFING
AND HUMAN RESOURCES AND EQUALITY LEAD MEMBER BRIEFING
27th June, 2011
Meeting commenced: 10.00 a.m.
“
ended: 11.15 a.m.
PRESENT: Councillor Bill Hinds
Councillor John Mullen
-
Councillor Roger Jones -
OFFICERS: Martin Vickers
-
Debbie Brown
John Spink
John Tanner
David Hunter
Allison Lobley
Karen Lucas
-
Lead Member for Finance and Support
Services (in the Chair)
Executive Support – Finance and
Support
Executive Support – HR and Equality
Strategic Director of Customer and
Support Services
Assistant Director (Human Resources)
City Treasurer
Assistant Director (Customer Services)
Assistant Director (Corporate ICT)
Assistant Director (Administration)
Democratic Services
ITEM
1.
APOLOGY FOR ABSENCE
An apology for absence was submitted on behalf of Councillor Murphy.
2.
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
John Spink declared an interest in item 12 - BSF LEP; as a representative on the
Salford and Wigan Local Education Partnership.
3.
RECORD OF BRIEFING
The record of the briefing held on 20th June, 2011, was approved as a correct record.
FIT CITY IRLAM BUILDING EXTENSION
RESOLVED: THAT the proposal for an additional extension to Fit City Irlam to
accommodate a new library be deferred.
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Joint Finance and Support Services Lead Member Briefing
Human Resources and Equality Lead Member Briefing
27th June, 2011
ITEM
4.
COUNCIL TAX, BUSINESS RATES, BENEFIT PROCESSING AND ARREARS UPDATE
John Tanner gave an update with regard to Council Tax, Business Rates, Benefit
Processing and Arrears. The first update of business rates (since the migration of
data) will be available next week.
The Lead Member was informed of the pilot work on profiling with Experian.
RESOLVED: THAT further information on profiling will be provided at a future briefing.
5.
FILLING OF VACANT POSTS / AGENCY WORKER REQUESTS
RESOLVED: (1) THAT the proposals regarding the filling of vacant posts requests as
reported be agreed.
(2) THAT further consideration be given to the following vacant post
requests: Sustainable Regeneration request for maternity cover; and Environment
directorate auto electrician and vehicle mechanics.
(3) THAT the request for an extension to agency worker (occupational
therapy) be agreed for one month.
6.
BUDGET MONITORING REPORT
This report provides an update to Lead Member on the budget position of the
Directorate. The directorate’s budget has been reduced in line with the efficiency and
savings proposals which were accepted during the budget process.
It should be noted that the directorate has no red risks but does have a number of
amber risks as highlighted in the report.
To the end of May 2011, there is an overspend across the directorate of £84k relating
to various divisions. A number of risks associated with the achievement of savings
and the loss of income affect all divisions within the directorate. Work is on-going with
managers to reduce these risks.
RESOLVED: THAT the in order to address some of the budget issues and risks
identified within the report it is recommended that Managers actively monitor and
review budgets taking appropriate actions to reduce expenditure wherever possible.
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Joint Finance and Support Services Lead Member Briefing
Human Resources and Equality Lead Member Briefing
27th June, 2011
ITEM
7.
ORDSALL PARK PLAY AREA
The report presented provided a summary the Section 106 investment for Ordsall
Park play area. The installation of the new play area will be made in line with the
Ordsall Park Master Plan.
RESOLVED: THAT the delegated action of the Strategic Director for Sustainable
Regeneration to commit £70,000 received through Section 106 Agreement relating to
planning applications 04/48888/FUL, to fund an informal play area at Ordsall Park, in
line with the legal agreement is endorsed.
8.
ICT SERVICES – CORPORATE APPLICATIONS TEAM RESTRUCTURE.
The Corporate Applications business unit has been recently established following the
consolidation of ICT teams from various directorates, the roles, job descriptions and
grades of those brought into the team are numerous, wide ranging and inconsistent.
The new structure will align job descriptions and grades as well as developing a team
that will take operational responsibility for the whole of Salford’s ICT ‘live’ application
portfolio, whist at the same time establishing a strategy and proposals to drive in
efficiencies by rationalising the portfolio and managing the supplier contracts
effectively.
RESOLVED: THAT approval is given to implement the new ICT Corporate
Applications organisational structure.
9.
EXCLUSION TO THE PUBLIC
RESOLVED: THAT, under section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the
public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds
that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as specified in the
relevant paragraphs of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act.
10.
VOLUNTARY EARLY RETIREMENTS/SEVERANCE
RESOLVED: THAT the following applications for voluntary early retirement and
severance be approved:1 VER AND 1 VS applications from Children’s Services
3 VS applications from Sustainable Regeneration
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Joint Finance and Support Services Lead Member Briefing
Human Resources and Equality Lead Member Briefing
27th June, 2011
ITEM
11.
CONTRACT FOR THE SUPPLY OF NATURAL GAS TO ALL COUNCIL PREMISES.
A contract was agreed in 2009 for the supply of natural gas to all council premises
with Corona Energy. The contract included an option to extend for a further year
commencing 1 July 2011. The Lead Member is requested to adopt the contract
extension with Corona Energy.
RESOLVED: THAT the option to extend the contract for the supply of natural gas to
all council premises within the boundaries of Salford City Council be approved.
12.
BSF LEP WORKING CAPITAL REQUIREMENT
RESOLVED: THAT the increase in the working capital facility for the BSF LEP to
£2.250m, and to the consequent increase in the Council’s contribution to £112,500,
noting that this will be fully repayable in November 2011 be approved.
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