Agenda item

Steve Charman, Head of Consultation & Engagement, was in attendance for this item)

(1)     The Cabinet Committee received a report on the proposal for a new combined Members Grant Scheme that would deliver annual base savings in the region of £1.42m, mistakenly included in the report as £1.32m.  The paper indicated how this new scheme would work and the benefits and impact for Members, namely a reduction in grant but an increase in the flexibility for members to spend it as they wish.

(2)     The Cabinet Committee was asked to comment on and endorse the proposal, or make recommendations to the Cabinet Members for Community Services and Transport and Environment with regards to the new Member Grant Scheme as outlined in the paper.   The Cabinet Committee was asked to support any 2013/14 underspend being used to fund/part fund any adaptations that may be required to the existing IT system within EHW.

(3)       The Cabinet Member explained that the background to the report was that significant savings were required within the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) and Member Grants would have to bear their share of these savings.  To this end a root and branch review of all grant schemes was being undertaken.  All existing grants would be cancelled and a new grant scheme was proposed where each Member would have £25,000 to be spent at their discretion on either Communities or Highways projects.

(4)       The Chairman informed the Committee that she had received an amendment, which was in two parts.  She explained that the first part was a request that the matter be referred to the next full Council meeting and the second was in regard to the ability to rollover any money to the following year. 

(5)       A discussion followed where it was established that any money not spent in 2013/14 would not be rolled over but would be used to fund the transformation process of the scheme.  It was anticipated that from 2014/15 and onwards funds could be rolled over two years, to enable large highways schemes.  The details of this are still to be finalised however.  The Members who had submitted the amendment, Mr Maddison and Mrs Brivio, agreed that on this basis the amendment would be withdrawn. 

(6)       The Committee discussed the first part of the amendment, regarding the discussion of the grant scheme as an agenda item at the February Council meeting.  The amendment was proposed by Mr Maddison and seconded by Mrs Brivio.

(7)       Following a request for guidance Mrs Whitaker informed the Committee that the Committee could send a report to a normal meeting of the Council but could not put forward an item for the agenda.  In addition she reiterated that, as the Chairman had stated, the 13 February 2014 was the Budget meeting and therefore the agenda would be limited to discussion of the Budget.  If the amendment was agreed, and a report put forward it would be submitted to a different, later, meeting of the Council.  A member of the Committee added that the Member Fund would be included within the budget and that this would provide Members with the opportunity to address the matter.

(8)       Members discussed the paper; different views were received regarding the generosity or otherwise of the proposal and the importance of the scheme to local members.

(9)       Mr Charman confirmed that, although it varied year to year, there were some Members who did not spend the full amount available to them.

(10)   Mr Maddison and Mrs Brivio also agreed to the second amendment being withdrawn as it had been confirmed that Members would have the opportunity to discuss the matter at the Council Budget meeting on 13 February 2014.

(11)   RESOLVED that the new Member Grant Scheme as outlined in the paper be endorsed and any 2013/14 underspend being used to fund/part fund any adaptations that may be required to the existing IT system within EHW be supported.