Agenda and minutes
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Contact: Bryan Searle
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DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
To receive any declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests from Members in respect of any item to be considered at the meeting.
Notes: · In line with the Relevant Authorities (Disclosable Pecuniary Interests) Regulations 2012, declarations may relate to the interest of the member, or the member’s spouse or civil partner, or a person with whom the member is living as husband or wife, or a person with whom the member is living as if they were civil partners and the member is aware they have the interest. · Members need only disclose interests not currently listed on the Register of Disclosable Pecuniary Interests. · Members must notify the Monitoring Officer of any interests disclosed at the meeting so they may be added to the Register. · Members are reminded that they must not participate in any item where they have a disclosable pecuniary interest. Minutes: There were no declarations of interest. |
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APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND SUBSTITUTIONS
Minutes: Apologies were received from Mark Brett-Warburton, Stephen Cooksey, Bob Gardner, Zully Grant-Duff, David Ivison and Eber Kington.
Denis Fuller substituted for Zully Grant-Duff, Colin Kemp substituted for Mark Brett-Warburton, Fiona White substituted for Stephen Cooksey and Richard Wilson substituted for Bob Gardner. |
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CALL-IN OF CABINET DECISION: GRANT CRITERIA AND FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES GUIDE
Purpose of the report: Scrutiny of Services and Budgets
To scrutinise the Cabinet decision of 27 May 2014 to approve the Grant Criteria and Funding Opportunities Guide. Additional documents: Minutes: Declarations of interest: None
Witnesses:
Mel Few, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care Denise Le Gal, Cabinet Member for Business Services Jeremy Taylor, Procurement & Commissioning Partnership Officer Christian George, Category Manager Sarah Baker, Group Manager (Children, Education and Adults Group)
Key points raised during the discussion:
1. The Chairman explained that the item on Grant Criteria and Funding Opportunities Guide had been called in due to two concerns of Members; those being that there was not enough emphasis on the Family, Friends and Community Support programme (FFCS) and a need for clarification regarding the disclosure of Members interests in the guidance.
2. The Cabinet Member for Business Services stated that the wording for an amendment to the report had been agreed between senior officers and Members, with the approval of the Leader. However, Cabinet Members had felt that the wording was too specific and that it was not appropriate to single out Adult Social Care, in addition there were concerns that the FFCS programme may change its name in future. By changing the wording of the amendment to relate to the Corporate Priorities it was felt that more applications could be considered, many of which would relate to Adult Social Care.
3. The Category Manager from Procurement explained that the criteria was a high level document, and there was a feeling that they did not want to concentrate on FFCS as there were additional good areas which deserved funding, including children’s. When using the criteria officers would work with senior officers, portfolio holders and possibly local Members to consider applications. In addition, officers would be provided with training to ensure the process was robust and the best outcomes were met.
4. Members of the Committee raised concerns that Adult Social Care would be unable to meet the demands of the budget and that they wanted to ensure that grants were available for FFCS, as savings within the budget were predicated on FFCS being successful. It was felt that wording could be added to the document which covered an eventuality where the name of the FFCS programme was changed. Furthermore, the wording of the amendment relating to FFCS could include ‘where appropriate’.
5. The Council awarded £40 million of grants to the voluntary sector and it was felt by Members that due to FFCS being worth £35 million in the next four years it was important that some focus was given to this area within the criteria.
6. The Committee was informed that the paper came under Procurement, but that the Cabinet Member for Community Services was in support of what Cabinet agreed.
7. The Cabinet Member for Business Services expressed concern that the Committee were sceptical that Adult Social Care would be able deliver to the set budget but stressed that it was for the directorate to deliver. However, the Cabinet Member did confirm that officers would be trained to identify grant applications relating to Adult Social Care and to prioritise them.
8. The Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care ... view the full minutes text for item 52/14 |
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DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the Committee will be held at 10.30am on 2 July 2014. Minutes: The Committee noted the next meeting of the Council Overview and Scrutiny Committee would be on 2 July 2014 at 10.30am. |