Agenda item

The Chairman introduced the report and supplementary appendix, Library Service Fees and Charges Amendments for 2019/20 from the Strategic Director for Environment.

A Member enquired about paragraph 2.16 of the report and how the money allocated for the Voluntary, Community and Faith Sector (VCFS) had been spent. The Interim Assistant Director, Strategy and Communications responded that there were three lots as part of the contract: brokerage and infrastructure, the Barnet Community Directory and a volunteering brokerage.

A Member enquired how the contract, which would finish in two years’ time would be sustainable beyond this time. The Interim Assistant Director, Strategy and Communications stated that the contract been re-let in July to Inclusion Barnet for a further two years. Currently alternative funding pots were being considered.

A Member spoke in relation to paragraph 2.18 of the report: nationality checking for EU citizens was critical; there was concern that people would not have support to sort out their papers before the end of March 2019 in advance of the proposed Brexit.

The Member was also concerned about the loss of £110k funding a year due to the contract being awarded to a new provider from December 2018. The Head of the Registration and Nationality Service at Barnet responded that the role of local authorities in future nationality checking was not yet clear but a continuation of the current checking service looked likely. The landscape was frequently changing and as soon as he had more information he would circulate this to all Barnet Council Members.  Information would also be available on the Barnet website for residents shortly.

Action: Head of Registration and Nationality Service

The Chairman moved to the vote on each of the officer’s recommendations:

1.    That the Committee consider the Corporate Plan (Appendix A) and the Corporate Plan Priorities in Appendix B for referral to Policy and Resources Committee before adoption by Full Council.

For (approval) – 6

Against (approval) – 4

Resolved that the Corporate Plan and the Corporate Plan Priorities were noted and agreed for referral to Policy and Resources Committee before adoption by Full Council.

2.    That the Committee approve the additional Committee Priorities as set out in Appendix B.

For (approval) – 6

Against (approval) – 4

Resolved that the additional Committee Priorities as set out in

Appendix B were approved.

3.    That the Committee consider the MTFS proposals that relate to the Committee as set out in Appendix C after having considered the initial equalities impacts and refer their comments to Policy and Resources Committee for eventual decision by Council.

For (approval) – 6

Against (approval) – 4

Resolved that the Committee considered the MTFS proposals that relate to the Committee (Appendix C) after having considered the initial equalities impacts and referred their comments to Policy and Resources Committee for eventual decision by Council.

4.    That the Committee consider the savings proposals for the next financial year as set out in Appendix C subject to the initial equalities impacts and refer them to Policy and Resources Committee for consultation and eventual decision by Council.

For (approval) – 6

Against (approval) – 4

Resolved that the MTFS proposals were considered and their comments referred to Policy and Resources Committee for eventual decision by Council.

5.    That the Committee approve the fees charges listed at Appendix D and refer them for noting to Policy and Resources Committee.

For (approval) – 6

Against (approval) – 4

Resolved that the fees and charges (Appendix D) were noted and referred for noting to Policy and Resources Committee.