Issue - meetings

The Leader’s Portfolio

To consider report FIN/516 of the Head of Corporate Finance, which was referred to the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Commission held on 1 February 2021.

RESOLVED

That the Cabinet approves the projected outturn for the year 2020/2021 as summarised in this report.

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/516 of the Head of Corporate 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 2020 together with the main variations from the approved spending levels and impact on future budgets. The Leader explained that the impact of the Covid19 has had a dramatically impacted upon the Council budget and income streams, so that at the end of the Quarter 3, even with additional Government funding and significant in year savings, there was a deficit of £100k to the General Fund.

Councillor T Belben presented the O­verview and Scrutiny Commission’s comments on the report as detailed in report OSC/293, to the Cabinet following consideration of the matter at its meeting on 1 February 2021, which included:

·           Confirmation provided in relation to Rushetts Road play area which was the only play area on the priority list that met the S106 criteria and the money needed to be spent by the end of June.  By completing this area it allowed the team dealing with the play equipment time to work on other priorities within the next 18 months, including areas such as Wakehams Green.

·           Potential option for a review of how reports were presented once the pandemic was over, although it was recognised that there were reasons why finances had to be documented in particular formats.

A recorded vote was taken on the recommendations, in accordance with the Council’s Virtual Committee Procedure Rules.  The names of the Councillors voting for and against the recommendations, along with any abstentions, are recorded as set out below:

For the recommendations:

Councillors Irvine, Jhans, Lamb, Mullins and P Smith. (5)

Against the recommendations:

None.

Abstentions:

None.

RESOLVED

That the Cabinet approves the projected outturn for the year 2020/2021 as summarised in this report.

Reasons for the Recommendations

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

To consider report FIN/516 of the Head of Corporate Finance.

The Commission considered report FIN/516 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 2020 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:

·       Confirmation provided in relation to Rushetts Road play area which was the only play area on the priority list that met the S106 criteria and the money needed to be spent by the end of June.  By completing this area it allowed the team dealing with the play equipment time to work on other priorities within the next 18 months, including areas such as Wakehams Green.

·       Potential option for a review of how reports were presented once the pandemic was over, although it was recognised that there were reasons why finances had to be documented in particular formats.

·       The Finance team were thanked for their continued hard work throughout the pandemic.

RESOLVED

That the Commission notes the report and requests that the views expressed during the debate, are fed back to the Cabinet through the Commission’s Comment sheet along with the tabled questions from Councillor Burrett included in the Appendix.