Agenda item

Report ES11056

The 2010/11 provisional outturn for the Environment Portfolio recorded an overspend of £7,006k. This included variations for capital charges and inter-committee recharges of £6,126k so leaving a variance of Dr £880k against the controllable budget of £34,120k representing a 2.58% variation. This was after allowing for transfers to and from central contingency for the waste underspend of Cr £701k and the recession monies to cover the £185k net shortfall of parking income. This compared with a projected Dr £777k variation previously reported to the Committee in April, the main reason for the overspend being the adverse weather conditions during the winter months.

Details were also provided on how the 2009/10 earmarked reserve of £1m for Residents Priorities had been spent. Similarly the latest position was also provided on how the 2010/11 earmarked reserve for Members Priorities was being spent. This indicated that £823k was spent before 31^st March 2011 with the balance of £177k related to orders for works that had been raised but not yet completed.

A number of comments were made by Members. In connection with information on the latest position for expenditure against the 2010/11 earmarked reserve for Members Priorities, Councillor George Taylor suggested that schemes agreed by the Portfolio Holder be shown by ward as well as by road. Noting expenditure of £121k for carriageway pothole repairs, drainage and road marking renewals, Councillor Taylor also enquired of the predicted extent of pothole repairs. The Director explained that this was difficult to answer in detail. Survey work was currently being undertaken so it was possible to provide an indication. Spend on reactive work would comprise £400 to £500k and the Department for Transport had provided additional funding.

Councillor Grainger explained that he and Councillor Peter Fortune (Portfolio Executive Assistant) had started to look at the problem of pot holes. The Chairman explained that a Highways Assets Working Group would be proposed and suggested that the work of Councillors Grainger and Fortune could feed into the Group.

Concerning the fraudulent use of Blue Badges, Councillor Wells referred to an audit inquiry into the problem and enquired whether the Committee could take a report on the matter from the Council’s auditors. Councillor Peter Fortune indicated that that he had been looking into the problem with Councillor Diane Smith - including enforcement of the scheme - and would be happy to report to the Committee. The Portfolio Holder encouraged more liaison with the Committee on the matter along with an assertive role against fraud. He felt that a campaign should be launched by the Council against the problem. Councillor Simon Fawthrop suggested that it might be helpful for the work of Councillors Fortune and Diane Smith to be considered at Audit Sub Committee first where both the ACS and Environment PDS perspectives could be considered. Councillor Fawthrop offered to speak further with Councillor Wells on the matter following the meeting. Councillor Fortune commented that there was no finish date scheduled for their work.

Councillor Samaris Huntington-Thresher highlighted additional works at £35k being carried out to the borough’s trees following damage caused by the weight of snow last winter suggesting that such expenditure should be taken into account in future years. The Head of Parks and Greenspace indicated that the backlog on tree work had caught up separately from the snow damage although the current position was not a major problem. 

On snow clearance the Chairman enquired whether a conclusion had been reached on whether one or two gritters should be held. The Assistant Director (Street Scene and Green Space) explained that nine gritters were held with one spare. A Unimog vehicle was also used for deep snow clearance and there were a further six vehicles on which gritting attachments could be placed.

The Vice-Chairman asked how figures were used to predict what measures are taken for next winter. The Director explained that the views of Members would be sought in the coming autumn. Current salt stocks were also at full capacity and the Director referred to the work of Street Friends. A lot had also been learned over the past three years.

In concluding the item the Chairman expressed his unease at additional costs of £20k incurred for business rates at the incineration site used by the Council which was outside of the borough.

RESOLVED that the Portfolio Holder be recommended to endorse the 2010/11 provisional outturn position for the Environment Portfolio.