Agenda item

Report FSD15071

Members received a second budget monitoring report for 2015/16 based on general expenditure and activity levels to the end of August 2015.

In discussion a brief explanation was provided on the transfer of grant from the Department for Work and Pensions for those benefitting from the Independent Living Fund. Reference was also made to full year Youth Services savings not being achievable for 2015/16. An early warning was also highlighted of a potential £100k loss of income from TfL for advertising on bus shelters should the current contract be terminated in July 2016. 

Concerning the Council’s Growth Fund it was understood that a sum of £3.5m set aside to support growth in the Biggin Hill area had not yet been used. The Portfolio Holder for Renewal and Recreation indicated that a number of initiatives were being considered for Biggin Hill including renting of the West Camp buildings to businesses. The Leader suggested an item on this to the Executive which PDS could review. The Portfolio Holder also referred to investment earmarked for growth along the Cray Corridor and a desire for business outlets in the area.

Cllr Simon Fawthrop (Executive and Resources PDS Chairman) highlighted a projected overspend for the Education Department against their latest approved 2015/16 budget. Noting that the SEN transport budget comprised a significant sum (and was currently projected to overspend by £343k), Cllr Fawthrop felt that it was necessary to know what action will be taken to bring the expenditure back into line. The Leader agreed that a more detailed breakdown was needed.

Members agreed the recommendations alongside the comments above. 

RESOLVED that:

(1)  the latest financial position be noted; 

(2)  a forecasted projected net underspend on services of £1,711k be noted;

(3)  comments from the Education, Care and Health Services Department as detailed at section 3.2 of Report FSD15071 be noted;

(4) release of £112k from Central Contingency for the additional costs of Concessionary Fares as detailed at paragraph 3.3.2 of Report FSD15071 be agreed;

(5)  a sum of £1.9m grant funding in Central Contingency be drawn-down for the additional costs of commissioning Health visiting (transferred to Public Health) as detailed at paragraph 3.3.3 of Report FSD15071;

(6)  a sum of £97k grant funding in Central Contingency be drawn-down for Individual Electoral Registration as detailed at paragraph 3.3.4 of Report FSD15071;

(7)  a sum of £526k grant funding in Central Contingency be drawn-down for the Independent Living Fund as detailed at paragraph 3.3.5 of Report FSD15071;

(8)  a sum of £112k grant funding in Central Contingency be drawn-down for Smartphone Counter Fraud App as detailed at paragraph 3.3.6 of Report FSD15071;

(9)  reports elsewhere on the agenda request the drawdown of a total of £1,972k from Central Contingency as detailed at paragraphs 3.3.7 – 3.3.11 of Report FSD15071;

(10)  the supplementary estimate of £382k for Adult Education as detailed at paragraph 3.3.12 of Report FSD15071 be agreed, funded from underspends within Central Contingency;

(11)  the Prior Year Adjustments totalling £1,109k as detailed at section 3.5 of Report FSD15071, be noted;

(12)  a projected increase of £382k to the General Fund balance, as detailed at section 3.6 of Report FSD15071, be noted;

(13)  the full year effect of £2.6m underspend as detailed at section 3.7 of Report FSD15071 be noted;

(14)  Council be recommended to transfer £6.5m of the underspend on services and the Central Contingency to the Growth Fund as detailed at paragraph 3.10.3 of Report FSD15071; and

(15)  transfer to the Investment Fund earmarked reserve of the additional £141k funding related to the New Homes Bonus, as detailed at paragraph 3.11.1 of Report FSD15071, be noted.