Broadland District Council hosted an online discussion/hotseat between local residents and the Finance Portfolio Holder. This summarises the discussion and key points.

1. Cabinet Member for Finance
Overview and Scrutiny Committee Chairman
28 October 2014

2.  The Overview and
Scrutiny
Committee are
tasked with
scrutinising the
Council’s budget
and financial
performance. We
wanted to open up
that scrutiny to
our residents.

3.  Councillor Trudy
Mancini-Boyle is
the Portfolio
Holder for
Finance.
 Councillor Steve
Riley is Chairman
of the Overview
and Scrutiny
Committee

4.  How much is spent maintaining the nuclear
shelter at Thorpe Lodge?
 How much of the council tax bill is kept by
Broadland Council? Who else gets my council tax
money?
 Who sets the Parish Precept and what does it pay
for?
 What does a basic Councillor earn in a year? How
much more do the Cabinet Councillors get? How
much more does the Council Leader get?

5.  What rights do the public have to inspect the
budget? How does the Council consult on the
budget?
 How much has the revenue support grant
reduced in the last 5 years? What has been
the impact of that reduction?
 How is the Council generating income?
 When is the Council going to send out its
correspondence/magazines by email?

6.  How much is being spent providing food at
Council meetings?
 How much is Council Tax going up this year?
 Why are you excluding working people from
these online discussions?
 Who does the Overview and Scrutiny Committee
consult with? Is it effective?
 How do the Committee prepare to scrutinise the
Cabinet?
 Do the Committee effectively challenge the
Cabinet?

7.  7% is Broadland’s share of the Council Tax
bill. We also collect on behalf of the
Town/Parish council. The County Council
and Police also have a share
 Parish precept is set by the Town/Parish
Council. Its purpose is to fullfill
responsibilities and fund community projects
 The nuclear shelter costs average £900 per
year. We are renting it to bring income of
around £6,000 per year

8.  A Councillor earns £3,784 per year and
includes £321 IT allowance
 Cabinet Members earn an allowance of
£5,250 per year
 The Leader earns £10,500 per year
 Members are entitled to travel and
subsidence allowances when undertaking
duties approved by the council.

9.  The Council budget is published on the
Council’s website. We are consulting with
residents and stakeholders by questionnaires,
and meetings.
 The Government grant has reduced by £3
million in 5 years
 We have made sure the reduction has not
impacted public services
 Council is looking at a number income ideas

10.  Council does not provide food at Council
meetings. The Chairman donated biscuits at
his own expense
 Council Tax proposal is no increase
 These Hotseats are advertised in advance
welcoming questions in advance. The time of
the Hotseats can be changed to an evening if
there is demand from residents. We thought
lunchtime would be accessible to most
people wishing to take part.

11.  The Committee meets with the Head of
Finance and Revenues to discuss public
consultation. The public consultation helps
Committee to prepare for their joint meeting
with the Cabinet to discuss the budget
proposals
 Committee prepares for their meeting
through an annual workshop identifying
questions and supported by relevant staff

12.  The Committee scrutinise cabinet papers in
advance and advise Cabinet of their views.
The Call-In procedure enables scrutiny to
challenge contrary decisions by Cabinet. We
track our recommendations quarterly and
cabinet recommendations in the annual
report.

13.  Understand the role of Overview and Scrutiny
Committee
http://www.broadland.gov.uk/council_and_democrac
y/3290.asp
 Council Spending
http://www.broadland.gov.uk/council_and_democrac
y/4241.asp
 Council Tax
http://www.broadland.gov.uk/council_and_democrac
y/306.asp
 Councils budget book
http://www.broadland.gov.uk/council_and_democrac
y/857.asp