Corporate Scrutiny Panel – 6 December 2012

PRESENT:  Councillor Robinson in the chair.

Councillors Wilson (vice-chair), England, Jawaid MBE and Wardle.

Councillors Collinson and Whiteley attended the meeting in accordance with the provisions of Procedure Rule 1.36 (b).

The panel met at the Civic Centre, Scunthorpe.

126  DECLARATIONS OF DISCLOSABLE PECUNIARY INTERESTS AND PERSONAL OR PERSONAL AND PREJUDICIAL INTERESTS AND DECLARATIONS OF WHIPPING ARRANGEMENTS (IF ANY) – There were no declarations of pecuniary or personal and prejudicial interests.

No whip was declared.

127  MINUTES – Resolved – That the minutes of the proceeding of this panel held on 25 October 2012, having been printed and circulated amongst the members, be taken as read and correctly recorded and signed by the Chairman.

128  PUBLIC REQUESTS TO SPEAK There were no requests received.

129  (10)  LOCALISING SUPPORT FOR COUNCIL TAX – The Chairman welcomed Councillor Poole, Mike Wedgewood, Richard Catlyn and Cindy Laherty to the meeting, the council’s Cabinet Member for Policy and Resources, Director of Policy and Resources, Income and Billing Manager and Benefits and Payments Manager for North and North East Lincolnshire Councils respectively.  The Cabinet Member, Director and Shared Service Managers had been invited to discuss the proposals for a local council tax support scheme.

Council, at its meeting on 27 November 2012, had agreed a scheme to be implemented in North Lincolnshire for 2013/2014.  The scheme was based on the acceptance of the government’s offer of transitional funding for the forthcoming financial year.  However, to assist those who may experience financial hardship, the council had established a support fund.

Following the work of this panel in scrutinising the localising support for council tax arrangements, the Chairman invited members to question the Cabinet Member, Director and Shared Service Managers on the agreed scheme and its implications for North Lincolnshire council taxpayers.

In addition, the Chairman invited the Director to comment on the council’s existing and future collection and recovery practices.

Resolved – (a) That the Cabinet Member for Policy and Resources, Director of Policy and Resources, Income and Billing Manager and Benefits and Payments Manager for North and North East Lincolnshire Councils respectively be thanked for their attendance and for answering members’ questions, and (b) that the Benefits and Payments Manager be invited to a future meeting to discuss the abolition of the discretional social fund and the transfer of funding for a new provision.

130  ADDED ITEM – There was no added item for consideration at the meeting.