Rochdale Council Cabinet meeting as it happened

Councillor Richard Farnell

Monday 2 February

The agenda includes the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework, Universal Credit Implementation and Revenues and Benefits – Counter Fraud Team Proposals.

The Greater Manchester Spatial Framework is first.

Councillors are asked to approve the delegation to admin executives to formulate the framework. The Greater Manchester Spatial Framework is a proposed statutory planning document.

Councillors agree the report.

Welfare, Debt and Housing Advice Contract 2013-2015 and Tender for New Contract for 2015-2016 is next.

The report states that the Citizens Advice Bureau has dealt with 31% more clients in July 2013 to November 2014 than in the previous 17 months. The Welfare, Debt and Housing Advice Contract for 2015-2016 will be at the existing level of £338,000 per year but the supplier will be asked to meet current demand (which is higher than 2013) and deliver more outcomes.

Councillors agree the report.

Revenues and Benefits – Counter Fraud Team Proposals is next.

The report presents proposals for the creation of a Counter Fraud Team in Revenues and Benefits following the transfer of Housing Benefit Fraud Investigations to the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP).

Councillors agree the report.

Universal Credit Implementation from 2015 is next.

The report details the next stages of the implementation programmes for Universal Credit provided by the DWP.

Councillors agree the report.

The Capital Finance Update for 2014/2015 is next.

The report states that effective financial management is essential if the Council is to keep spending within available resources. It is vital that services make adjustments in spending to ensure that they spend in line with the approved budget.

Councillors agree the report.

The Revenue Finance Update for 2014/2015 is next.

The report updates the Cabinet of the Council’s revenue financial position and enables decision making and action where appropriate in respect of that position.

Councillors agree the report.

The Savings Finance Update for 2014/2015 is next.

The report updates cabinet on the Council’s Saving Proposals financial position for 2014/2015. At the end of November the latest forecast is that of £4.910m of savings, £4.124m have been achieved against the initial savings proposal put forward. £0.063 are on target to be achieved by the end of 2014/2015 and £0.73m are to be achieved via mitigating actions.

Councillors agree the report.

Collection Fund Update 2014/2015 is next.

The Collection Fund account reflects the statutory requirement for the Council to maintain a separate Collection Fund, in relation to the operation of the Business Rates Retention Scheme and Council Tax. The forecast Collection Fund position for 2014/2015 is a deficit of £4.174m of which £2.234m relates to Business Rates and £1.940m relates to Council Tax. Councillor Farnell states that they will help those who can pay and will target those who won’t pay.

Meeting ended.