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