Issue - meetings

Report of Chief Finance Officer

The Chief Finance Officer presented the report, which provided a ‘blueprint’ for the Council’s financial procedures which formed part of the Council’s Constitution. A draft version of the Rules were considered by the Cabinet in 1 July 2019 and would be presented to Full Council for approval on 25 September.

The opportunity has been taken to ensure that there was a single financial procedure rule for both Lewes and Eastbourne Council. The review allows the Council to operate more effectively. The review allows for control measures to be identified and strengthened if necessary.

Section 3 of the draft rules (appendix 2 to the report) – Financial Management, is a key area and includes a supplementary budget that recognises the dynamic financial environment in which the Council works. It provides a limit and structure for decision making.

Members asked in view of the frequency of Full Council meetings, how urgent decisions, that need the approval of Full Council, will be dealt with in the future?  Officers advised that there were constitutional procedures in place for dealing with urgent decisions. It also depends on the reasons for the urgency. The provisions for one-off financial decisions and any ongoing decisions will need to be included in the Budget process.

RESOLVED: That the recommendations in the report be noted.