Issue - meetings

Executive Board considered the attached report.

RECOMMENDED: That Council approve the revisions to the Council’s 2016/17 Capital Programme, as set out in paragraph 3.0 of the report.

The Council considered a report of the Operational Director, Finance, which sought approval to a number of revisions to the Council’s 2016/17 Capital Programme.

RESOLVED: That the revisions to the Council’s 2016/17 Capital Programme, as set out in paragraph 3.0 of the report, be approved.

The Board considered a report of the Operational Director, Finance, which reported on the 2016/17 Quarter 2 Spending as at 30 September 2016.

A summary of spending against the revenue budget up to 30 September 2016 was attached to the report at Appendix 1. This provided individual statements for each department. The Board was advised that, in overall terms, revenue expenditure was £0.442m above the budget profile, although this profile was only a guide to expected spending. However, historically, as the spend in the first half year tended to be lower, accelerating towards year end, there was a significant risk that the Council may overspend its budget for the year.

The report contained details of the main budget pressure within the Children and Families Department, and in particular, out of Borough residential placements and fostering. It was reported that the cost of out of Borough residential placements continued to grow, with spend for the year to date up 19% compared to the same period last year.

The report also outlined details of a shortfall in income in the Community and Environment Department; spending on employees; staff turnover targets; expenditure on general supplies and services and the Council Tax collection rate for the first quarter for 2016/17. The Capital Spending Programme had been revised to reflect a number of changes in spending profiles as schemes developed and these were detailed in Appendix 3.

RESOLVED: That

1)    all spending continues to be limited to the absolutely essential;

2)    Strategic Directors take all reasonable steps to ensure overall spending is contained within their total operational budget by year-end; and

3)    Council be recommended to approve the revised Capital Programme, as set out in Appendix 3, attached to the report.