There was a change to Committee membership at this meeting: Councillor Hofman replaced Councillor Taylor. 

There were no disclosures of interest.

The minutes of the meeting held on 23 October 2012 to be submitted and signed.  (All minutes are available on the Council’s website.)

The minutes of the meeting held on 23 October 2012 were submitted and signed.

Presentation by the Head of Finance Shared Services which had been deferred at the previous meeting.

The Panel received a presentation from the Head of Finance Shared Services.

Replying to a question from Councillor Hofman, the Head of Finance Shared Services advised that whilst there would be no immediate financial consequences were there to be a deficit, the situation would need to be competently managed to achieve a balanced budget within the Medium Term Financial Strategy.

The Chair thanked the officer for his presentation.

This report reviews the current levels of income received by the parking service and analyses the potential draw on the Parking Reserve by proposed traffic related schemes.

The Panel received a report of the Head of Strategic Finance and Head of Planning.

The Head of Planning referred to the report and noted that the income from the Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) was reducing and that the CPZ was currently making a loss.  The implementation of a considerable number of new schemes had been requested which would reduce the reserves; the only option to augment funds was to increase the cost of parking permits.  She suggested that a 30% increase would be appropriate and would result in an additional £6 for each first permit and £12 for a second. 

In response to a query from the Vice Chair, the Head of Planning advised that proposed projects would be at risk were permit costs to be frozen.  She explained that there were two choices: to alter project delivery or to increase parking permit costs for residents. 

Councillor Derbyshire drew attention to the £34,508 surplus at the end of the year 2011/2012.  He asked what was the proportionality of income from Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs), sales of permits and income from the Pay and Display system within the £1,393,964 figure for income in that year.

Officers advised that current income from PCNs was £591,000 which equated to 42% of income whilst income from permits had been £210,000. 

The Head of Strategic Finance forecast income for the following year as:

            Parking permits                     £220,000

            Pay and Display                    £438,000

            Penalty Notices                     £600,000

Councillor Khan noted that the amount in reserve in 2010/2011 had been £962,000 but this now stood at approximately £575,000.   He asked why this figure was so reduced.

The Head of Planning replied that expenditure had increased due to implementation of projects.  These had included the upgrade of Pay and Display machines to accommodate both altered weight of coinage and changes in legislation which impacted on match day parking.  She added that more projects had been implemented than in the previous year. 

In reply to a further question from Councillor Khan, the Head of Planning explained that, although it would be possible to have differing charges across the town, it would be necessary to review the method by which charges were configured.   She advised that a significant amount of work would be needed to establish differentials on the zones and that a more complex system would inevitably lead to increased operating costs.  This, she explained would be in addition to costs needed to employ consultants for initial investigations and development of the schemes.   

Councillor Khan said that his query was related to geographical areas of Watford and noted that in some wards residents found it impossible to park at night whilst for some areas CPZs were a ‘luxury’. 

The Head of Planning advised that CPZs had originally been installed in order to exclude commuters and did not operate at night. 

The Chair advised that CPZs were not needed during the day when most residents were away from home but that parking was required at night when they arrived  ...  view the full minutes text for item 29.

This report provides a progress report upon revenue estimate preparation for 2013/2014 and in particular discusses issues associated with how the Council’s net expenditure is financed.

The Panel received a report of the Head of Strategic Finance.

The Head of Strategic Finance noted that the report provided evidence to support the Cabinet decision that Watford Borough Council should remain within the national Local Council Tax benefit scheme and that there was currently no need to make reductions in benefit entitlement. 

RESOLVED –

that the situation be noted.

This report provides Budget Panel with a report recently considered by the Shared Services Joint Committee.

The Panel received a report of the Head of Strategic Finance.

The Head of Finance Shared Services advised that £1.3 million savings had been achieved across the four services against the 2008 original business case saving of £1.6 million.  He noted that due to economic pressures, cost increases were required for ICT and Revenues and Benefits, which were over budget. 

Councillor Derbyshire said that whilst the projected savings had not been achieved, an outcome of £1.3 million was a significant step forward. 

RESOLVED –

that the report be noted.      

This report informs the Budget Panel of the reported budgetary variances as at end of October 2012.

The Panel received a report of the Head of Strategic Finance. 

The Head of Strategic Finance noted the forecast overspend of £373,000 and advised that the previous year the figure had been greater.  He said that pressure on budgets had been maintained in order to eliminate overspends where possible. 

The Head of Strategic Finance advised that the current position was good and explained that the £186,000 unplanned overspend was due to operating costs within ICT and Revenues and Benefits.  The remaining £187,000 would be financed from earmarked funds. 

RESOLVED –

that the report be noted  

·               Wednesday 26 January 2013

·               Tuesday 12 February 2013

·               Wednesday 16 January 2013

·               Tuesday 12 February 2013