Issue - meetings

The Leader’s Portfolio

To consider report FIN/554 of the Head of Corporate Finance, which was referred to the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Commission held on 31 January 2022.

RESOLVED

That the Cabinet agrees to note the:

a)         projected outturn for the year 2021/2022 as summarised in report FIN/554.

b)         updated proposed spend of Contained Outbreak Management Fund (COMF) grant funding as outlined in section 10 of report FIN/554.

Reasons for the Recommendations

To report to Members on the projected outturn for the year compared to the approved budget.

The Leader presented report FIN/554 of the Head of Corporate Finance on the Quarter 3, Budget Monitoring, which set out a summary of the Council’s actual revenue and capital spending for the quarters to December 2021 together with the main variations from the approved spending levels and impact on future budgets. It was noted that, as emphasised in the Budget Strategy, it is very difficult to accurately forecast the Council’s financial position for the year due to the pandemic.

Councillor Khan presented the Overview and Scrutiny Commission’s comments on the report to the Cabinet following consideration of the matter at its meeting on 31 January 2022, which included:

·         Noting that the Council’s income streams continued to be affected by the pandemic but it was acknowledged that grant funding had been available to assist.  It was recognised that this was not a long term sustainable solution.

·         Recognition that although the Housing overcharge refunds were going into Quarter 3 figures for 2021/22 this was awaiting auditors’ agreement.

Councillor Mullins spoke as part of the discussion on the report especially in relation to his Wellbeing portfolio and the impact of the pandemic on those services. He was hopeful that with the seeming ending of restrictions it would lead to The Hawth Theatre and K2Crawley returning back to a level where they would bring back an income to the Council once resident return to using those facilities.  

Councillor Crow was invited to speak on the item and asked whether, in further Quarterly reports, it would be possible to include forecast prediction for The Hawth Theatre and K2Crawley so Councillors could see a comparison against actual income and expected income. In response Councillor Lamb stated that he did not have an issue with that detail being included, but he would leave it to officers to see if that would be possible.

RESOLVED

That the Cabinet agrees to note the:

a)         projected outturn for the year 2021/2022 as summarised in report FIN/554.

b)         updated proposed spend of Contained Outbreak Management Fund (COMF) grant funding as outlined in section 10 of report FIN/554.

Reasons for the Recommendations

To report to Members on the projected outturn for the year compared to the approved budget.

To consider report FIN/554 of the Head of Corporate Finance.

The Commission considered report FIN/554 of the Head of Corporate Finance on the quarter 3 budget monitoring, which set out a summary of the Council’s actual revenue and capital spending for the quarters to December 2021 together with the main variations from the approved spending levels and impact on future budgets.

During the discussion with the Leader of the Council, Head of Corporate Finance and Chief Accountant, Councillors made the following comments:

·       Income streams continued to be affected by the pandemic but it was acknowledged that grant funding had been available to assist.  It was recognised that this was not a long term sustainable solution.

·       Recognition that although the overcharge refunds were going into quarter 3 figures for 2021/22 this was awaiting auditors’ agreement.

·       It was queried how the pandemic had impacted on contractors’ sickness given the high levels of repairs and the costs required.

·       Recognition that Three Bridges station was still listed as a capital project and clarification was sought as to the risk if the project did not proceed.  It was identified that the funding had been allocated and there was an opportunity to improve the rail and bus infrastructure from the station. It was anticipated a planning application would come forward in March however it would be looking at the same water neutrality implications and the constructions work would have an impact.

·       Clarification was sought regarding the memorial gardens play improvements completion. (Note: unfortunately Covid had delayed the installation of a water fountain). Details were also sought as to the major works at Milton Mount flats.

·       Confirmation that the ‘contingencies’ budget included all the major HRA projects.

·       As this was potentially her last attendance at OSC, the Commission took the opportunity to record its thanks and gratitude to the Head of Corporate Finance, Karen Hayes for all her hard work, diligence, dedication and support she had provided not just the Commission but the Council as a whole, throughout her many years of service.

RESOLVED

That the Commission noted the report and requested that the views expressed during the debate, were fed back to the Cabinet through the Commission’s Comment sheet.