Members are asked to consider whether they have personal or prejudicial interests in connection with any item(s) on this agenda and, if so, to declare them and state what they are.

Members are reminded that they should also declare, pursuant to paragraph 18 of the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules, whether they are subject to a party whip in connection with any item(s) to be considered and, if so, to declare it and state the nature of the whipping arrangement.

Members were asked to consider whether they had personal or prejudicial interests in connection with any item(s) on this agenda and, if so, to declare them and state what they were.

Members were reminded that they should also declare, pursuant to paragraph 18 of the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules, whether they were subject to a party whip in connection with any item(s) to be considered and, if so, to declare it and state the nature of the whipping arrangement.

By virtue of them being members of trades unions and in the light of the attack on trade union activities within the Cabinet Budget Proposal, Councillors Paul Doughty, Ron Abbey, Darren Dodd and Chris Jones declared their personal interest in agenda item 2 Budget Proposals (see minute 90 post).

At the meeting of the Council held on 13 February 2012 (minute 110 refers), Councillor Jeff Green, having been elected Leader of the Council gave an acceptance speech in which, inter alia, he announced that the Budget Cabinet meeting would move from Monday 20 to Tuesday 21 February and it was the responsibility of every Group to look at potential options and put forward a budget to Council. The budget proposals would be referred to a special meeting of the Council Excellence Overview and Scrutiny Committee at a meeting to be arranged before Budget Council on 1 March, 2012.

Hence, the Committee is requested to consider –

A.  The budget proposed by the Cabinet, at its special meeting held on 13 February 2012.

(Cabinet minute 310 attached)

B.  The budget proposed by the Cabinet, at the budget meeting on 21 February 2012.

(To follow)

C.  Any budget amendments received by the Director of Law, HR and Asset Management by the deadline of 12.00noon Monday 27 February 2012.

(To be circulated at the meeting)

The Director of Law, HR and Asset Management reported that at the meeting of the Council held on 13 February 2012 (minute 110 refers), Councillor Jeff Green, having been elected Leader of the Council gave an acceptance speech in which, inter alia, he announced that the Budget Cabinet meeting would move from Monday 20 to Tuesday 21 February and that it was the responsibility of every Group to look at potential options and put forward a budget to Council. The budget proposals would be referred to a special meeting of the Council Excellence Overview and Scrutiny Committee at a meeting to be arranged before Budget Council on 1 March, 2012.

Although the Committee had been requested to consider the budget proposed by the Cabinet at its special meeting held on 13 February 2012 (minute 310 refers), he advised that at its Budget Meeting held on 21 February 2012, the Cabinet resolved (minute 315 refers), that the 2012/2013 Council Budget agreed by the Cabinet on 13 February 2012 (minute 310) should be rescinded. It would not therefore go forward to Budget Council for consideration.

The budget proposed by the Cabinet, at the Budget Meeting on 21 February 2012 (minute 317 refers) would be recommended to Budget Council.

The Director reported also that in accordance with the budget procedure, he had received the following budget amendments by the deadline of 12.00noon Monday 27 February 2012, which would be referred to Budget Council for consideration –

·  Labour Budget Amendment

The budget agreed by the Cabinet on 13 February 2012, amended only to include the precepts and to fulfil the pledge in the original budget to meet the cost of the precepts and to set an overall zero Council Tax increase.

·  Labour Budget Procedure Amendment

To amend the Budget Council procedure to ensure a vote is taken on each budget, with the budget remaining after fallen amendments also being subject to the confirmation of a majority vote.

·  Four Liberal Democrat Budget Amendments

(i).  People’s Dividend

(ii).  Area Forums

(iii).  Trade Unions

(iv).  Community Justice and Local Shopping Areas

In the light of the Budget Proposals/Amendments, the Chair circulated for Members’ consideration a Budget Proposal Comparison, together with an analysis of the budget proposed by Budget Cabinet on 21 February 2012 (minute 317), which he had sought from the Director of Finance.

The Director of Law, HR and Asset Management reported also that a call-in notice had been received in relation to Cabinet minute 315 (21 February 2012) – The 2012/13 Budget Agreed by Cabinet on 13 February 2012. The call-in had been submitted by Councillors Phil Davies, Ann McLachlan, George Davies, Adrian Jones and Harry Smith. The lead call-in signatory, Councillor Phil Davies provided an explanation of the call-in notice, viz:

“On 21 February 2012, the Cabinet took the following decision:

‘That the 2012/13 Budget proposals agreed by the Cabinet, under urgent business, at its Special meeting held on 13 February 2012 be rescinded (Minute No. 310 refers) and therefore, they will not go  ...  view the full minutes text for item 90.