Agenda item

J Deane gave an in-depth presentation to provide Members with an overview of the draft budget and provide the opportunity to scrutinise and provide feedback to Cabinet.

The recommendation is that the Scrutiny Committee review and scrutinise the draft budget proposal for 2021/22, and provide feedback, to be considered by Cabinet, for each Committee’s specific area of responsibility.

Budget detail for every area of the Council has been made available to all Members.

Cllr Griffiths said that she thought J Deane said something about the minor amendments? Which he won’t go through now as they only effect the two committees? She was sure he mentioned it affected this one? She asked F Jump to fill us in?

F Jump said that there are a few minor amendment to the H&C budgets that came through in December, they are picked up on page 11 of the report pack. If there are any questions from Members, she is happy to take them.

Cllr England wanted to ask a question on page 24. It looks like we are spending thirty three thousand pound less on CCTV next year, which is a large percentage drop. He asked how are we managing that, are we switching most of it off.

F Jump said that it’s actually recharges that are coming in, there isn’t a reduction in the service.

Cllr England referred to page 11 and the amount that is going into reserves. Instead of going into reserves, can we not accelerate the new build programme and get some rent in.

F Jump said in terms with the reserve funding this is not funding we can divert toward the house build programme.

We do have other funding sources available for the house build programme. We do divert all resources that we do have towards the programme that’s been put forward for new build.

Cllr Hollinghurst was pleased to hear about F Jump’s explanation on the CCTV.

He also gave members an update following an issue in Tring.

Stating they need at least two more CCTV cameras, one to the East of the high street and the other one in Pond Close along the footpath.

Approximately 3 years ago, they had an incident regarding knife crime in the dark. This finished when the person was convicted. It does highlight that there are a couple of areas in Tring, which do need better coverage.

Action: F Jump to take forward to the relevant group manager.