Agenda and minutes

Agreed.

Received a report summarising the recently published Audit Commission Consultation document ‘The CPA 2005 - The Way Ahead’, which indicates far reaching changes to the corporate assessment methodology, particularly relating to the role of the shared priorities between central and local government, the Community Strategy and Use of Resources.

Agreed, in order to participate in the consultation process, which will determine how the key external assessment of local authority performance will be undertaken from 2005, that:

1. A final response be submitted to the Audit Commission by their deadline of 27 February 2004; and

2. Barking and Dagenham Council applies to be a pilot authority for the new approach, in order to help shape and influence the new process.

The Management Team gave a presentation on, and we discussed, performance against a range of key performance indicators for the 3rd quarter and end of year projections 2003 / 2004 in respect of:

• Best Value Performance Indicators in the Corporate Performance Assessment Basket.
• High Risk Performance Indicators that are considered in the Corporate Performance Assessment.
• Council Scorecard Performance Indicators.
• Public Service Agreement targets.

Agreed:

1. That an annual report on monitoring of the Best Value Performance Plan be submitted to the Assembly;

2. That the Barking and Dagenham Primary Care Trust be requested to provide more timely information in order to provide a more accurate picture of performance in respect of CS 5a and CS 5b; and

3. That officers provide for Members the definitions for the following performance indicators: CS 5a, BV 63, BV 68.

A copy of the draft Calendar will be circulated to all Members separately.

Received a report setting out the Calendar of Meetings for the coming municipal year.

Agreed to recommend the Assembly to approve the Calendar, subject to a number of amendments.

Received a report setting out the position of the Council’s revenue budgets for 2003 / 2004 and a base budget position for 2004 / 2005.

Agreed, to:

1. The revised budget for 2003 / 2004 in order to reflect decisions made during the year and the base budget for 2004 / 2005 as the initial position for deciding the overall 2004 / 2005 budget, as set out in Appendix A (i) of the report; and

2. The budget transfers reflected within the 2003 / 2004 revised budget, as set out at Appendix A (iii) of the report.

Noted the position on the projected outturn for 2003 / 2004.

Appendix D - Medium Term Financial Strategy is to follow.

Received a report, in accordance with the Council’s Constitution, seeking approval for the Revenue Budget and setting of Council Tax, prior to submission to the Assembly for its consideration.

Agreed, to recommend the Assembly to agree:

1. The Budget, as set out in Appendices A and B of the report;

2. A Council Tax increase of 5.9% (including the Greater London Authority precept of £241.33 for a Band D property), as set out in Appendix C of the report;

3. The three year planning figures arising from this budget proposal indicated within the Medium Term Financial Strategy (attached as Appendix D to the report);

4. The Medium Term Financial Strategy to assist the Council in future decision making on the budget and that it is now reviewed on an annual basis; and

5. The position on reserves as set out in paragraph 2.4 of the report.

Received a report setting out the current position with regards to the Capital Programme and proposals for allocating resources for 2004 / 2005 to 2007 / 2008, prior to submission to the Assembly for its consideration.

Agreed:

1.  To note the position of the 2003 / 2004 Capital Programme and paragraph 7.4 of the report;

2.  To recommend the Assembly to agree the Capital Budget for 2004 / 2005 (as amended by Minute 308 - Housing Investment Programme for 2004/5/6) to be met from the Council’s usable capital receipts, as set out in Appendices B to E of the report, and in principle for later years subject to review;

3.  The new schemes within the proposed Capital Programme as set out in paragraph 7.1.1 of the report and schemes with additional costs as set out in paragraph 7.1.3 of the report subject to each scheme being reported to the executive before proceeding.;

4.  The programme of schemes to be met from external resources as set out in Appendices B to E of the report;

5.  That before any scheme proceeds in the Capital Programme that it has all four green indicators arising from the capital appraisal process;

6.  That the schemes in Appendices D and E of the report undergo the relevant capital appraisal process and that before any of these schemes proceed they are reported to the Executive for approval for inclusion in the Capital Programme;

7.  That the new start schemes identified in paragraph 7.2 of the report only proceed if external funding is obtained;

8.  To note the Prudential Indicators for the Authority as set out in Appendix F of the report (as amended by Minute 308 - Housing Investment Programme for 2004/5/6);

9.  In principle, and subject to technical resolutions, to the settlement of the outstanding debt to the London Borough of Redbridge arising from the boundary changes in 1994 / 1995 as set out in paragraph 5.6 of the report; and if actioned to substitute the debt repayment to Redbridge for a rind fenced revenue contribution to capital in the Housing Revenue Account.

Received a report setting out the Annual Treasury Strategy Statement and Prudential Indicators for the financial year 2004 / 2005 in respect of the Council’s Treasury Management functions.  The report also set out the Annual Investment Strategy, in order to meet the requirements of guidance issued by the Secretary of State under Section 15(1) of the Local Government Act 2003.

Agreed to recommend the Assembly agrees:

1. The Annual Treasury Strategy Statement for 2004 / 2005;

2. The Annual Investment Strategy for 2004 / 2005, which states the investments the Council may use for the prudent management of its treasury balances (set out in sections 5 and 6 of the report);

3. The authorised borrowing limit of £5 million for 2004 / 2005, which will be the statutory limit determined under section 3(1) of the Local Government Act 2003; and

4. The Prudential Indicators for 2004/05 as set out in Appendix A (as amended by Minute 308 - Housing Investment Programme for 2004/5/6) of the report.

Received a report setting out the basis for establishing a programme of investment until such time as the Housing Futures Project is completed in July 2005. The report outlined available resources and proposals for how these can be expended in line with Best Value principles over the next two years.

Agreed, in order to enable the necessary design work and procurement to proceed, to:

1. The approach for the Investment Programme for 2004/5/6 as set out in paragraph 1.3 of the report;

2. A further report to be submitted to the Executive once the assessment proposed has been completed;

3. The budget and provisional allocation of resources for 2004/5/6 as set out in paragraph 2 of the report;

4. The extension of the existing Stock Survey to meet the needs of the Housing Futures Study; and

5. Delegate authority to The Director of Housing and Health to negotiate with the surveyors who undertook the 2002 Stock Condition Survey, NBA, to extend the survey to meet the needs of the Housing Futures Study as detailed in paragraph 3.7.2 of the report.

Agreed to exclude the public and press for the remainder of the meeting, as the business was confidential.