Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (S151) presenting the Revenue and Capital Outturn report, previously considered by Cabinet on 9th July 2020

The Group had before it and NOTED the *Outturn report for 2019-2020 from the Group Manager for Finance who explained that the report had previously been presented to the Cabinet on 9^th July 2020.

The Chairman expressed a view that the PDG could add little to the report as it had been previously seen and approved by the Cabinet. The Leader stated that he would investigate the timing of the report being sent to the PDG.

In response to concerns raised with regard to the £0.5m variance in the budgeted and actual Planning income for 2019/2020 the Cabinet Member for Finance stated that the Cabinet were constantly looking at the revenue streams for Planning but the current crisis would have an effect on the current years projections.

The Chief Executive explained that the shortfall in the 2019/2020 Planning service figures was due to the number of smaller planning applications which had come forward and a downward trend in the number of medium and large scale applications received which generated the most income.

The Group discussed the impact of the current crisis on the financial year 2020-2021.

Note: *Outturn report previously circulated and attached to the minutes

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (S151) presenting  the revenue and capital outturn figures for the financial year 2019/20.

The Cabinet had before it a *report of the Deputy Chief Executive (S151) presenting the revenue and capital outturn figures for the financial year 2019/20.

The Cabinet Member for Finance outlined the contents of the report stating that the outturn report was a set of management reports that showed the year end position on all service areas. Appendix 1 showed the overall performance, the recharges and interest charges and that the deficit had been reduced by £20k.  He identified the details of the Housing Revenue Account, the total direct expenditure and income, the development at Palmerston park and the Right to Buys that had been repurchased.  With regard to the Capital Programme, he highlighted the spends to date and the underspend that would be carried forward.  He then thanked the officers within the finance team for their hard work.

Consideration was given to:

·         A previous request to highlight the 3 Rivers figures on a separate line within the tables

·         The increase in the number of parking permits that had been purchased which had been aided by additional advertising

·         The consultancy budget for the boundary review which had not been required

·         The slippage on the play areas budget which would be rolled forward

RESOLVED that:

a)    The General Fund outturn achieved in 2019/20 which shows an overall overspend of £232k be noted. This deficit is proposed to be taken from General Fund reserve which will still leave the balance above our minimum recommended level.

b)    The net transfers to earmarked reserves of £686k detailed in the General Fund service budget variance reports shown in Appendix 1 and summarised in Appendix 3 be approved.

c)    The positive position achieved on the Housing Revenue Account which shows a saving of £608k be noted and the “earmarking” of the extra £608k shown in paragraph 4.2, as well as the utilisation of reserves totalling £859k identified in Appendices 2 be approved; and

d)    The carry forward of £9.741m from the 2019/20 capital programme (see paragraph 6.3) be approved as all of the schemes will be delivered in 2020/21 or later years. Also the transfer to earmarked reserves of the un-spent £208k identified in Appendix 4 be approved.

(Proposed by Cllr A White and seconded by Cllr L D Taylor)

Note:  *Report previously circulated, copy attached to minutes.