Open Council Network

Cabinet Adopts Financial Plan, Approves Debt Write-Offs

In the last 7 days (since Saturday 22 June 2024), the council has held the following meetings:

Corporate Scrutiny Committee

The Corporate Scrutiny Committee meeting focused on reviewing the council's performance in the last quarter, scrutinising the Financial Stability Plan, and providing updates on major corporate projects. No decisions were made during this meeting.

Financial Stability Plan and Productivity Plan

The committee reviewed the Financial Stability Plan and Productivity Plan, which outlines how the council intends to save £4.9 million over the next four years. This plan is a requirement under Section 24 of the Local Government Act 2021, which mandates that councils submit their financial plans to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) if they increase Council Tax by more than 1%[^2]. The plan aims to close the budget gap through operational savings rather than service reductions, identifying £2.35 million in savings from measures like improved debt collection and increased service charges. Additionally, £2.55 million will come from workforce reductions, primarily by not filling vacancies, though some redundancies may be necessary.

The Council faces a very challenging financial position for 2024/25 and the ensuing Medium Term due to a number of factors including increasing demand for services, the impact of inflation on costs, and uncertainty over future Government funding.

Corporate Projects Update

The committee received updates on several major projects, including:

Building Back Safer Programme: Funded by the Future High Streets Fund, this project has led to the refurbishment of Middle Gate in Tamworth town centre, the creation of Tamworth Enterprise Centre at Tamworth College, and the refurbishment of Ankerside Shopping Centre.
A5 Strategy: Aims to shape future development along the A5 corridor, influencing the Local Plan to ensure sustainable development. The strategy will be considered by the Cabinet in September.
Glascote Regeneration Framework: Focuses on improving the built environment in Glascote, including proposals for better open spaces and mixed-use areas.

Quarter 4 2023/24 Performance Report

The performance report highlighted areas where the council fell short of targets, such as:

Affordable Homes: Only 31 affordable homes were built, against a target of 51, due to planning delays.
Recycling Rates: The borough recycled 45% of its waste, below the 50% target, due to contamination of recycling bins.
Business Start-ups: Only 120 new businesses were created, compared to a target of 150, attributed to economic challenges.

Audit and Governance Committee

The Audit and Governance Committee meeting discussed the Internal Audit Plan, the committee's effectiveness, and the Risk Management Quarterly Update. No decisions were made during this meeting.

Internal Audit Plan 2023/24

The committee reviewed the Internal Audit Annual Report and Quarterly Update for 2023/24. The report concluded that the council has a sound system of governance, risk management, and internal control.

The Council has a sound system of governance, risk management and internal control which supports the achievement of the Council’s objectives.

Key points included the completion of all audits on time, with no significant control issues identified.

Audit Committee Effectiveness

The committee assessed its effectiveness using CIPFA guidelines, concluding that it continues to operate effectively.

The Committee continues to play an important role in promoting good governance and effective risk management.

Risk Management

The Risk Management Quarterly Update highlighted emerging risks, such as the council's reliance on cloud-based services, and an increased focus on climate change in line with the council’s Climate Change Routemap.

Cabinet

The Cabinet meeting saw the adoption of a new Financial Sustainability and Productivity Plan, recommendations on the Corporate Peer Challenge, and a report on debt write-offs.

Financial Sustainability and Productivity Plan

The Cabinet adopted a new Financial Sustainability and Productivity Plan for 2024-2028, as required by the Local Government Act 2021. The plan aims to align the council's finances, workforce, and skills with its strategic priorities, achieving £1.831 million in savings. This includes income from the New Homes Bonus scheme, which the government will end in 2025, despite the council's previous lobbying efforts to retain it.

Corporate Peer Challenge

The Cabinet referred the recommendations from the council's May 2024 Corporate Peer Challenge to the Corporate Scrutiny Committee. This peer review process involves councils evaluating each other's performance.

Write-Offs

The Cabinet approved the write-off of £149,494.54 in irrecoverable debts, primarily from unpaid council tax and housing benefit.

All cases have been pursued through various recovery methods…before a write off is considered.

These meetings highlight the council's ongoing efforts to manage financial challenges, improve governance, and address key community issues.

New Leadership and Future Priorities: Key Highlights from Tamworth Council Meeting

In the last 7 days (since Saturday 18 May 2024), the council has held the following meetings:

Council Meeting on Tuesday 21 May 2024

The Council Meeting on Tuesday 21 May 2024 was significant due to the transition of leadership within the Tamworth Council. Here are the key points:

Election of New Mayor

The meeting began with a vote of thanks to the outgoing Mayor, John Harper. Councillors praised his dedication and service to the community. A vote was held to elect a new Mayor, which passed unanimously. The new Mayor expressed gratitude and outlined his goals for the upcoming year, including promoting local events and businesses.

Election of Deputy Mayor

Councillor Chris Bain was nominated and elected as the new Deputy Mayor. The nomination was seconded, and a vote was held, resulting in a unanimous decision.

Election of Council Leader

Councillor Carol Dean was nominated and elected as the new Leader of the Council. The nomination was seconded, and a vote was held, resulting in a unanimous decision. Councillor Dean expressed her commitment to addressing local issues and working collaboratively with all councillors.

Declarations of Interest

Councillors were asked to declare any interests. One councillor declared a non-pecuniary but potentially prejudicial interest in a specific agenda item and stated they would leave the room during its discussion.

Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes

The minutes from the previous meetings held on March 11 and March 19 were reviewed and approved with a minor amendment.

Announcements

The new Mayor and Leader of the Council made announcements welcoming new councillors and expressing gratitude to outgoing members. The Leader outlined the council's priorities, including improving local services, regenerating the town centre, and addressing crime and antisocial behaviour.

Public Questions

Two questions from a member of the public, Ron Brown, were addressed. The first question inquired about the timeline for publishing a detailed plan for change, to which the Leader responded that meetings with officers were ongoing to develop the corporate plan. The second question asked about using social media for public surveys, and the Leader confirmed that this was under consideration.

Appointment of Cabinet and Committees

The Leader of the Council announced the new Cabinet members and their responsibilities. The appointments were approved unanimously. The committee chairs and members for the upcoming year were also appointed and approved.

Annual Reports

The annual reports for the Audit and Governance Committee and the Scrutiny Committees were presented and endorsed. The reports highlighted the committees' activities and achievements over the past year.

Calendar of Meetings

The calendar of meetings for the upcoming year was reviewed and approved, with an additional meeting scheduled for June 12.

Exclusion of Press and Public

The meeting concluded with a resolution to exclude the press and public for the final agenda item, which involved confidential information. The resolution was passed unanimously.

The transition of leadership is a significant event, setting the tone for the council's direction in the coming year. The new Mayor and Leader have outlined priorities that include local service improvements, town centre regeneration, and addressing crime and antisocial behaviour. These themes align with ongoing concerns in the community and will likely be focal points in future council activities.

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