{Disestablished Committee} - Finance and General Purposes Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Read the Minutes

9 February 2006

Present:

• Councillor Priest - In the Chair 
• Councillors Andrews, Flanagan, Isherwood, Leech, Morrison, Pritchard, Brian O'Neil, Rothery, Sandiford and Trotman.

Also Present:

• Councillor Swannick, Executive Member for Planning and Highways 
• Councillor P. Murphy, Executive Member for Direct Services 
• Councillor S. Murphy, Executive Member for Finance and Human Resources 

FGP/06/8 Minutes

In relation to Minute FGP/06/3 in relation to city centre residents parking arrangements, a member requested that specific reference was included in the preamble to that minute item to reflect the Committee's support for the work in hand to provide dedicated bays for disabled city centre residents based on preferred locations identified from consultation, and the need for this to be implemented as soon as possible.

Members emphasised that the increased provision for disabled city centre residents must be in addition to the existing general provision for disabled drivers who were not resident in the city centre and, that a diminution in the overall number of generally available disabled bays would not be acceptable.

A member also suggested that a further meeting of the Postal Services Sub Group should be convened to consider recently announced changes to the business of Post Office Counters which could affect many local postmasters and sub post masters.

Decision

Subject to the inclusion of the foregoing, to approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 12 January 2006.

FGP/06/9 Audit Sub Committee

The Minutes of the Audit Sub Committee held on 26 January 2006 were submitted.

Decision

1. To recommend the Constitutional and Nomination Committee to (a) recommend the Council to approve the establishment of an Audit Committee for the 2006/2007 Municipal Year, and to suggest that the Committee should consist of six members drawn from the Finance and General Purposes Overview and Scrutiny Committee, two 'backbench' councillors and two independent members representative of the public and private sectors of finance, and (b) to incorporate the existing functions of the Constitutional and Nomination Committee relating to the approval of the Council's Annual Accounts in the terms of reference of the Audit Committee.

2. To agree that this Committee should be responsible for considering officer recommendations and making recommendations to the Constitutional and Nomination Committee in relation to the appointment of the independent members of the Audit Committee.

FGP/06/10 Council Budget 2006/2007

The Committee considered an overview report on the 2006/2007 budget settlement provided by the City Treasurer, and the action necessary to align spending profiles with the overall resources available. The Committee would be considering budgets in greater detail at the special meeting on 27 February. The City Treasurer responded to members questions about the extent to which the savings required were realistic and achievable, and members gave notice that they would examine the budget impacts of proposed savings in terms of service delivery.

The Executive Member for Finance and Human Resources reassured the Committee that front line services would be protected and that the resources available to respond to areas of pressure in the social services budget had been increased.

Decision

To note the position at this stage pending the more detailed review of budgets and consideration of responses to the public consultation on the budget on 27 February.

FGP/06/11 Parking Enforcement Contract Management

The Strategic Director (Operations) presented a report on progress made in implementing the new parking contract with NCP and providing information on the delivery of key elements of the contract which support service quality during the first period of implementation. The Committee's attention was focused on the benchmark performance in relation to the number of appeals upheld by the National Parking Adjudication Service, which was good and improving.

Officers also reported on the outcomes of survey work on the application of the contract on 50 streets and the particular focus of this work in district centres. Targets for the removal of vehicles, particularly those without road fund licences had not been met but the commissioning of a third tow vehicle would enable response times to be adhered to.

Staff retention was crucial to the delivery of many of the service quality elements of the contract and there was a good record so far in retaining quality staff. Turning to look at the operational side of the contract a member questioned the extent to which operatives were under pressure from the contractor to achieve the benchmark targets.

The Executive Member for Planning and Environment confirmed that there were no quality targets or employee bonuses associated with the issuing of penalty notices under the current contract. Whilst welcoming the direction of travel in relation to the appeals process a member suggested that the number of appeals found to be justified either by NPAS or by the Parking Liaison Service, and comparisons with other councils, particularly London Boroughs, merited further scrutiny.

The Strategic Director rehearsed evidence that had recently been presented to the Parliamentary Select Committee on this issue, indicating that most appeals upheld were in relation to technical grounds. He indicated that the use of CCTV and digital photographic evidence at the point of issuing a penalty charge notice meant that the Council had a stronger evidence base upon which to defend appeals.

The Executive Member outlined the role of the Parking Liaison Service as the first filter in the process which he considered was a positive aspect of Manchester's service. He reminded the Committee also that the enforcement regime in London was vastly different, and whilst he recognised that there may be many examples of good practice in the capital, comparisons on a like for like basis were not readily evident.

Decision

1. To note the report and to request the officers to report further on progress in September, including information in relation to the number of appeals lodged against the total number of tickets issued, and the number of penalty tickets revoked following consideration by the Parking Liaison Service.

2. To request the officers to respond directly to the point raised by individual members in relation to (a) VAT on parking fines (b) the use of adhesive penalty tickets, and (c) the frequency in which the timing devices in ticket vending machines are calibrated.

FGP/06/12 Procurement of Local Plans - consultancy costs

The Committee considered a report of the Chief Executive outlining the costs of procuring local plans in regeneration areas, and the use of consultants.

Decision

To defer detailed consideration of the report until a later meeting.