Council and councillors

(KEY DECISION)

Report No. 111/2017

(Report to follow)

Report No. 111/2017 from the Director for Resources was received.

Mr S Della Rocca, Assistant Director – Finance, introduced the report the purpose of which was to inform Cabinet of the draft outturn figures (subject to audit) for the financial year 2016/17 and to provide an update on the status of the 2017/18 budget.  In reporting the outturn, Cabinet and where necessary Council was being asked to carry forward some budgets to 2017/18, approve some additional requests for funding for 2017/18, and put aside some additional funding in earmarked reserves.

During discussion the following points were raised:

i)     The revenue budget was set in February, but it is normal practice that this was adjusted to take account of additional government funding and other emerging issues;

ii)    The Medium Term Financial Plan had also been revised and adjustments made to the assumptions taking into account latest information;

iii)   The Growth, Infrastructure and Resources Scrutiny Panel on 15 June 2017 had discussed the demand in Social Care, the continuing costs of maintaining Oakham Cemetery, increasing costs of waste collection and disposal and the increase in insurance claims;

iv)   Mr Brown advised that there was a statutory defence to highways insurance claims as long as there is a highways maintenance scheme and an adequate inspection regime in place;

v)    The additional funding received for Home to School Transport was for the purpose of assisting those living in homes with low incomes with school transport costs, this funding had been received in previous years, but there had been no indication as to whether the funding would continue, which is why it had not been included originally; and

vi)   Mr Walters was concerned that work on increasing school places was currently focused towards just one secondary school – Catmose College and would like to see consideration given to other secondary school establishments in future projects.

DECISION

1)    Cabinet APPROVED:

i)             The transfer of £786k from 16/17 underspends to earmarked reserves for future use of which £487k related to the ring fenced Better Care Fund and Public Health budget;

ii)            The revenue budget carry forwards of £948k as outlined in Appendix A to Report No. 111/2017, para 1.3.2, 1.3.3 and 1.4.3; and

iii)           The changes to the 17/18 revenue budget (as outlined in Appendix H to Report No. 111/2017) which had a net General Fund impact of £9k.

2)    Cabinet NOTED:

i)             The outturn on the revenue budget and capital programme;

ii)            The updated version of the capital programme as set out in Appendix A to Report No. 111/2017, para 4.1 including an extra £17k received for Disabled Facilities Grants;

iii)           The additional transfer to earmarked reserves made by the Assistant Director (Finance) in line with the approval given in report (44/2017); and

iv)           The indicative plans for the Better Care Fund (Appendix 1 to Report No. 111/2017).

3)    Cabinet AUTHORISED the Director for Resources to allocate the IT capital allocation of £150k.

4)    Cabinet RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL:

i)             The changes to the 17/18 budget arising from the receipt of new Government funding as listed in Appendix H to Report No. 111/2017;

ii)            To redesignate the Welland Audit Reserve as an Audit Reserve following cessation of the Welland Internal Audit service; and

iii)           To redesignate the Winter Maintenance Reserve as an Extreme Weather Reserve with a ceiling of £100k.

Reason for Decision

1.    The Council was required to make savings over the medium term, the outturn position was positive.  The approval of budget carry forwards would allow the 2016/17 budget to be updated to reflect spending plans.

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Mr K Quinn joined the meeting

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