Agenda and minutes

Resources and Corporate Performance Scrutiny Committee - Tuesday, 8th October, 2024 6.30 pm

Venue: Committee Room 1, Town Hall, Judd Street, London WC1H 9JE. View directions

Contact: Ben Lynn  Principal Committee Officer

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Edmund Frondigoun and Jenny Mulholland.

2.

Declarations by Members of Statutory Disclosable Pecuniary Interests, Compulsory Registerable Non-Pecuniary Interests and Voluntary Registerable Non-Pecuniary Interests in Matters on this Agenda

Minutes:

No declarations were made.

3.

Announcements (If Any)

Minutes:

Broadcast of the meeting

 

The Chair advised that the meeting was being broadcast live by the Council to the Internet and could be viewed on our website for twelve months after the meeting and would then be archived and could be made available upon request.  Those addressing the meeting were deemed to be consenting to having their contributions recorded and broadcast, and to the use of those sound recordings and images for webcasting and/or training purposes.

 

There were no other announcements.

 

4.

Deputations (If Any)

Requests to speak at the Committee on a matter within its terms of reference must be made in writing to the clerk named on the front of this agenda by 5pm two working days before the meeting.

 

Minutes:

There were no deputations.

5.

Notification of any Items of Business That The Chair Considers Urgent

Minutes:

There was no such business.

6.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 326 KB

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 15 July 2024.

 

Minutes:

RESOLVED –

 

THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 15 July 2024 be approved and signed as a correct record.

7.

Treasury Management Annual Report and Mid-Year Strategy pdf icon PDF 227 KB

Report of the Cabinet Member for Finance and Cost of Living.

 

This report presents the treasury activity during 2023/24 and the first half of 2024/25, compliance with guidance and treasury indicators and an update on the economic background shaping the treasury strategy.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Consideration was given to the report of the Cabinet Member for Finance and Cost of Living. The report was introduced by the Head of Treasury and Financial Services. As part of the introduction, the Cabinet Member for Finance and Cost of Living said that the model used of the internal borrowing of money would save Camden a significant amount.

 

In their discussion of the report, the Committee asked for some clarity regarding the Capital Financing Requirement figure for 2028/29, found in Table 3, as the figure for this year was lower and seemed to go against the trend for the other years. The Director of Finance said that the change was likely related to capital receipts but agreed to provide further detail.

 

ACTION BY:             Director of Finance

 

RESOLVED –

 

THAT the report be noted.

 

 

8.

King’s Speech: Implications for Camden pdf icon PDF 327 KB

Report of the Director of Corporate Strategy and Policy Design.

 

This report sets out the legislative programme announced by the government at the King’s Speech, which took place on Wednesday 17 July 2024. It identifies implications that may arise for Camden from the announced legislation, including financial and resource implications, changes to statutory or regulatory frameworks within which Council services operate, and anticipated impacts on demand for Council services. There are also implications arising from announced legislation that may have significant implications for local government as a sector, and these are considered. The Resources and Corporate Performance Scrutiny Committee is advised of specific pieces of announced legislation that may be worth remaining mindful and aware of if and when they become law.

 

The Resources and Corporate Performance Scrutiny Committee is asked to consider Camden’s strategic approach to working in partnership with the government, the local government sector, and the wider policymaking landscape in the context of the legislative agenda announced in the King’s Speech

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Consideration was given to the report of the Director of Corporate Strategy and Policy design.

 

After an introduction by the Leader of the Council and the Director of Corporate Strategy ad Policy design, the Committee discussed the report.

 

Members asked about the National Wealth Fund Bill and how this would impact existing structures for Camden’s Community Wealth Fund. The Director said that the Community Wealth Fund was place-based and the new wealth fund was national, it was early in the process and discussions were still needed to understand structure and implementation. He said that the wealth fund would need to be developed using citizen voices as public ownership and understanding would be key.

 

The Committee discussed ongoing engagement with Government and the importance of having people in power see things in person and the impact this had on policy development. The Director of Corporate Strategy and Policy Design said that engagement was ongoing and that it was important that visits were coordinated and had intentionality. Members suggested that Ward Councillors be included on official visits, where possible.

 

The Committee asked to have an annual item considering central government’s legislative agenda and its impact on Camden.

 

RESOLVED –

 

THAT the report be noted.

9.

Work Programme 2024/25 and Action Tracker pdf icon PDF 256 KB

Report of the Executive Director Corporate Services.

 

This paper provides an outline of the 2023/24 work programme and provides an update on actions requested at previous meetings of the Committee in the Action Tracker.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

RESOLVED –

 

THAT the report be noted.

10.

Any Other Business That the Chair Considers Urgent

Minutes:

There was no such business.