Agenda item

To receive a report from the Deputy Chief Executive presenting the Revenue and Capital Outturn figures for the financial year 2022/2023 for both the General Fund (GF) and the Housing Revenue Account (HRA).

The Group had before it, and NOTED, a * report from the Deputy Chief Executive presenting the Revenue and Capital Outturn figures 2022/23 for both the General Fund (GF) and Housing Revenue Account (HRA).

The contents of the report were outlined and a high level summary provided specific to this PDG as follows:

·         On the General fund the Council overspent by £190,000 and on the Housing Revenue Account it underspent by £312,000 both of which should be regarded as a good achievements in the current economic circumstances and pointed to a good level of Budget Management.

·         The cost of living crisis had impacted the Council with a higher pay award for staff, staff turnover, vacancies and higher than normal sickness levels requiring hiring of temporary staff.

·         There had been some investment during the year for example Bin It 123.

·         There had been significant levels of grant funding to run the energy rebate schemes.

·         With regard to the report the specific page numbers in the pack to refer to were pages 34 Grounds Maintenance, 41-42 Property Services & 45-46 Waste.

·         There was minimal variance with regards to Grounds Maintenance. With regard to Property Services the underspend was due to some planned maintenance not being needed and some not being done due to staff vacancies, those funds would go back into the Reserves so that the funds are there to do the work when needed.

·         The notable variance in Waste was due to the funding of the Bin It 123 scheme which was funded out of reserves, increases in fuel costs and additional costs in terms of salaries and agency staff to cover vacancies. That increase in costs had been offset by increased income in things like Green Waste, Trade Waste, the money the Council gets from, for example, recycling materials.

·         The Council had also received a higher refund from Devon County Council due to its higher recycling, there was less to put into landfill so DCC could share the saving with Mid Devon DC. – the refund is part of the service budget and so becomes a variance which went into reserves.

Discussion took place regarding:

·         In relation to paragraph 3.63 relating to General Fund Housing and how the Council could make its own housing stock more sustainable? – The Climate and Sustainability specialist stated that there was a constant allocation of capital funds to maintain and improve Council stock – they wouldn’t be able to retrofit to Passive House but depending upon the type of house, each one would have the potential to retro fit to a certain standard.  Some of them have been insulated and then retro fitted with air source heat pumps for example. Some residences are not suitable because they cannot be insulated and draught proofed to the relevant standard, but each archetype has opportunities identified and depending upon what money is in the budget or what funds can be accessed by bidding from Central Government, then the Council is able to invest in those properties.  There were a list of projects the Council have for investment in when the funds were available. With regard to new housing stock, the Zed Pods will be capable of Net Zero carbon performance.

·         The Corporate Manager for Finance, Property and Climate Change mentioned the Capital section of the report (pg51) Play Areas (very little variance against the budget), Shops (there has been some slippage as the planned maintenance was deemed not necessary at this time, funds would still be there for the following year) and in terms of other projects – there was a major expense that had not been expected in that they had to purchase a new mini excavator.

·         In relation to the refurbishment of a Park – Were any further 106 funds earmarked to help play parks? Also could we plant trees using s.106 funds. – The Corporate Manager for Finance, Property and Climate Change would reply in writing.

Note: *report previously circulated and attached to the minutes