(KEY DECISION)

Report No. 27/2016 from the Director for Resources was received.

The purpose of the report was to inform Cabinet and all Members of the full year forecast position as at Quarter 3 for 2015/16 and to alert them to issues that may impact on the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) to enable them to maintain sound financial management of the Council’s operations.

During consideration the following points were noted:

i)             Two issues had been raised at Resources Scrutiny Panel – the Panel queried whether the unused funds held in relation to sports grants would be allocated.  It was explained that a further call for bids may be undertaken in due course.  The Cabinet also sought an explanation as to why there were some delays in projects commissioned through the  Capital Allocation Project Boards.  It was explained that there were some delays in the scoping of works but that the key issue was around ensuring that projects properly addressed the needs for school places.

ii)            Positive report in that there was a surplus and this would increase General Fund balances. 

iii)           The Assistant Director – Finance, Mr Della Rocca was congratulated on the report and the level of information contained therein.

DECISIONS

1)    Cabinet NOTED the 2015/16 revenue and capital outturn position as at Quarter 3.

2)    Cabinet NOTED the proposed transfers to/from earmarked reserves as shown in the table at Appendix 1, para. 1.26 of Report No. 27/2016 (to be finalised and agreed in the 2015/16 outturn).

3)    Cabinet NOTED that there were a number of functions which were forecast to be £25k overspent (highlighted in Appendices 3 to 5 of Report No. 27/2016) but these forecast over spends could currently be contained within overall Directorate budgets.

4)    Cabinet NOTED that there were two functions (Homecare and Long Term Children’s Social Care) which were forecasted to be in excess of £100k over budget but overspends could be contained within the overall People Directorate budget as set out in Appendix 6 of Report No. 27/2016.

5)    Cabinet APPROVED the transfer of £200k Better Care Fund Contingency to the Social Care Earmarked Reserve, Appendix 1 para 1.3 of Report No. 27/2016.

6)    Cabinet NOTED that the MTFP had been updated since Q2 to reflect the impact of the Comprehensive Spending Review and Local Government Finance Settlement.  Details can be found in the budget report 39/2016.

7)    Cabinet APPROVED the Capital Programme budget carry forwards totalling £322k for projects to be completed in 16/17 as set out in para 2.3 – 2.6 of Appendix 1 of Report No. 27/2016.