Issue - meetings

The Executive Board considered the attached report.

RECOMMENDED: That the position regarding the 2007/08 programme be noted, and the proposed programme for 2008/09 as set out in the report and Appendix be approved.

            The Executive Board had considered a report of the Strategic Director – Health and Community regarding the forecast outturn for the 2007/08 housing capital programme and seeking approval for the 2008/09 programme. It was advised that the Board had agreed that the Healthy Halton Policy and Performance Board be requested to look at the Disabled Facilities Grant process and report back to the Executive Board.

            RESOLVED: That the position regarding the 2007/08 programme be noted and the proposed programme for 2008/09 as set out in the report and Appendix be approved.

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director – Health and Community informing of the forecast outturn for the 2007/08 housing capital programme, and seeking approval for the 2008/09 programme.

It was noted that the Appendix to the report compared the approved 2007/08 programme with the forecast outturn position, and showed the proposed programme for 2008/09. Total resources available for 2007/08 amounted to £3.696m, whereas the projected spend was estimated at £2.460m. The reasons for variations to the programme were set out within the report.

In addition, the report outlined the level of resources likely to be available in 2008/09 based on the forecast outturn for 2007/08 and a proposed programme of work was set out in the final column of the table in the Appendix.

In particular, the Board noted the underspend in respect of the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) budget of £92,000. It was advised that the proposal to establish a framework agreement for the fast track supply, fitting, maintenance and recycling of stair lifts outside the DFG process had been more complex and time consuming than envisaged. A contract had been awarded in February but spend would now slip to 2008/09. Members noted that the DFG budget had been significantly increased to address waiting lists in both the private and public sectors. As this was a substantial growth, it may be that the resources would need to be phased over 2008/09 and 2009/10 due to the long lead-in times for this type of work. In addition, work was ongoing to address the difficulties associated with DFGs, for example by increasing the number of staff and working with new systems and a new consultancy. Although it could not be guaranteed that there would be no underspend in the future, it was envisaged that, by bringing the assessment team, the design team and building controllers into one team located with John Briggs House, and addressing systems and processes, there would be more flexibility.

RESOLVED: That

1)         the position regarding the 2007/08 programme be noted and the proposed programme for 2008/09 as set out in the report and Appendix be recommended to Council for approval; and

2)  the Healthy Halton Policy and Performance Board be requested to look at the DFG process and report back to the Board.