The Public Accounts Select Committee met on Thursday 28 November 2024 to discuss budget reductions and financial monitoring. The committee approved recommendations for budget reductions, noting that less than half of the required savings had been identified and encouraging further proposals. They also agreed to remodel the 'Reduced Leisure Concessions' proposal and revise the 'Ending the Funding for the Council run Assembly Programme' proposal.

Budget Reductions

The committee approved recommendations for budget reductions, noting that less than half of the £51.5m of recurrent cost savings and budget reduction measures required had been brought forward. Members encouraged the ongoing submission of new proposals to align the Council's budget with available resources.

Specific proposals that were recommended for remodelling or revision included:

• Reduced Leisure Concessions (P03): This proposal was recommended to be remodelled along the lines suggested by the Healthier Communities and Safer and Stronger Communities Select Committees. The aim is to achieve similar savings while better targeting changes in concessionary prices. Concerns were raised about a proposed 10% increase in concessionary pricing, which would be in addition to annual inflationary adjustments, potentially leading to a loss of memberships and negatively impacting residents' well-being.
• Ending the Funding for the Council run Assembly Programme (P01): This proposal was recommended to be revised to clarify that the objective is to achieve a saving within the Community Development team. The revision should prioritise best practice and modern community development techniques across the entire Council. The committee agreed with the suggestion that a strategic review of all Council engagement processes should be carried out in conjunction with the Safer and Stronger Communities Select Committee.

The committee also noted that the proposal for 'Reducing the loss of subsidy caused by awarding Housing Benefit (HB) to certain classifications of supported accommodation providers' (CR08) raised concerns about vulnerable individuals losing their housing. While acknowledging the need for value for money, the committee recommended ensuring that no existing tenants of supported housing lose their accommodation if the proposal is implemented.

Select Committee Work Programme

The committee agreed the work programme for its next meeting.

Housing Revenue Account Budget

The committee noted the report on the Housing Revenue Account budget.

Financial Monitoring

The committee noted the report on financial monitoring, which highlighted significant areas of overspending and pressures in key service areas. A debt group has been established to improve the Council's processes for collecting outstanding debts. The reduction in overspending in several areas was welcomed, as was further work on Council tax collection.

Minutes of the Meeting Held on 26 September 2024

The minutes of the meeting held on 26 September 2024 were agreed as an accurate record.