Agenda item

Ceri Lamoureux (Head of Finance – Place) and Gemma McNamara (Director – Service Finance and Transformation) presented the budget report. It was confirmed that, following consideration by Cabinet in December 2022, the budget proposals for 2023/24 were now under consultation. Feedback from the Select Committees would be included in the report to be presented to Cabinet on 16 February 2023. It was noted that the current economic environment was challenging both in terms of inflationary pressures and legacy Covid-19 impacts. The Council had originally been expected to make savings of £10m; this had now increased to £20m.

Members requested further clarification regarding the £2.1m additional funding allocated to address issues of homelessness in the Borough (as set out on page 17 of the agenda pack) and enquired whether this would be sufficient. It was confirmed that the Council had modelled the predicted increase in demand due to the current cost of living crisis to arrive at this figure. In terms of Covid legacy issues, Members heard that the ‘new’ and ‘emerging’ issues set out in the report included matters related to Covid such as domestic abuse. New and emerging issues relating to Covid would be kept under review and monitored in the future.

Members sought clarity regarding the proposed savings relating to increased fees and charges (page 18 of the pack). The Committee was advised that Council Tax income would provide approximately 75% of the funding to subsidise areas subject to fees and charges.

In response to their queries regarding homelessness figures, Members heard that it was estimated some 500 homelessness cases would be received over the next financial year; many of these were likely to be private sector evictions. It was confirmed that there were increasingly more people housed in temporary accommodation; numbers of domestic abuse cases were rising, and demand continued to grow. It was confirmed that homelessness figures had been increasing year on year over the last 4 to 5 years. Action plans were in place to reduce reliance on temporary accommodation going forward but it was a worrying time.

Members noted that LED lights were to be installed within Cedars and Grainges car parks (page 19) and enquired whether other car parks would be included in the scheme in the future. It was confirmed that present plans focussed on Cedars and Grainges car parks only. However, the Director – Service Finance and Transformation would explore this matter further and feed back to the Committee through Democratic Services. In response to their questions regarding increases in fees for special collections, Members heard that this service would run on a cost neutral basis and any additional fly tipping resulting from the increased fees would be monitored. At the request of Members, it was agreed that the Director – Service Finance and Transformation would explore the matter of GLA funding for housing regeneration and provide feedback to the Committee via Democratic Services.

In response to further requests for clarification, Members were reassured that, despite the proposed increases, Hillingdon’s fees and charges would still be among the lowest in London; officers were commended for managing to achieve this in difficult circumstances.

In respect of graffiti removal, the Committee was informed that this service was largely contracted out; however, the Council had a small in-house team – the service was to be reviewed and streamlined to achieve the proposed savings. Members were advised that offensive graffiti would be removed within 24 hours.

Members enquired whether the wildflower displays around the Borough would continue noting that they were very good for biodiversity. It was confirmed that the flowers originally planted were to be allowed to regenerate naturally. In response to Members’ questions regarding waste services, the Committee heard that service levels across the Borough continued to be consistently high. In the future there would be a focus on recycling and a more cost-effective service.

The Committee sought clarification regarding the proposed locality needs based approach to libraries mentioned on page 19 of the agenda pack. Officers indicated that bespoke services were planned aligned to resident demand. It was anticipated that a Library Strategy would be drafted during 2023 which would be subject to a consultation process. It was agreed that the Director – Service Finance and Transformation would confirm the expected timeframe for this and feed back to the Committee via Democratic Services. Councillors welcomed a needs-based approach which would enable the Council to make savings while continuing to provide a good service to residents.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the Committee noted the budget projections contained in the report and commented on the combined budget proposals affecting the relevant service areas within the Residents’ Services Cabinet Portfolio, within the context of the corporate budgetary position;

2.    That authority be delegated to the Democratic Services Officer, in conjunction with the Chairman (and in consultation with the Opposition Lead), to finalise the wording of the Committee’s comments on the budget proposals; and

3.    That the Director – Service Finance and Transformation provide feedback to the Committee via Democratic Services in response to their queries regarding future plans for LED lighting in car parks, GLA funding for housing regeneration and the timeframe for the Library Strategy.

(Note: following the meeting, comments to Cabinet were agreed by the Chairman in consultation with the Opposition Lead. It should be noted that the Opposition Lead did not fully endorse the comments).