Issue - meetings

To consider a report which provides summary and detailed information about the Council’s financial and non-financial performance at the final quarter of  the 2012/2013 Financial Year. The report also requests approval for supplementary estimates.        

Cabinet considered a report providing summary and detailed information on the Council’s financial and non-financial performance at the final quarter of  the 2012/2013 Financial Year. The report also requested approval for supplementary estimates.        

The strength of remedial action in the final quarter of the financial year, together with better than expected service funding streams, had led to an improvement of £5.8m in the overall outturn position since the third quarter review.

Councillor S Wilkinson, Chairman of the Corporate Scrutiny Committee, reported the comments of the Committee which had considered the outturn report at its meeting that morning. The Committee had been pleased to see the improved outturn position and increased reserves. However, the Committee had expressed concern at the use of £22.4m for remedial measures and hoped to see an improvement in future. In addition, the Committee wished future reports to mention any slippages. The Committee also felt that the report should make it clear as to which performance targets were set locally or nationally, and felt that with regard to performance indicator NI 157a (processing of planning applications) there were still issues for Cabinet to consider. Finally, the Committee had expressed its thanks to staff in achieving the reported outcomes in difficult circumstances.

The Leader acknowledged the Corporate Scrutiny Committee’s comments and added his thanks to those staff involved in achieving the improved outturn position.

RESOLVED

That

(1)  Cabinet notes:

§  the Service revenue and capital final outturn positions (Section 1 of the report);

§  the overall financial stability of the Council, and the impact on the Council’s general reserves position (Section 2);

§  the movements on earmarked reserves and the service manager carry forward proposals contained in the report (Section 2, paragraphs 135 to 137); 

§  the Council’s invoiced debt position (Appendix 2); 

• the delivery of the overall Capital Programme (Section 2, paragraphs 103 to 115 and Appendix 3);

§  Reductions in the approved capital programme (Appendix 4)

§  Supplementary Capital Estimates and Virements up to £250,000 In accordance with Finance Procedure Rules  (Appendices 5a)

§  the service performance successes achieved during 2012/2013, and consider issues raised in relation to underperformance against targets and how these will be addressed (Section 3).    

(2)  Cabinet approves Supplementary Capital Estimates and Virements over £250,000 but under £1m in accordance with Finance Procedure Rules  (Appendix 5b);

(3)  Cabinet recommends that Council approve Supplementary Capital Estimates and Virements over £1m in accordance with Finance Procedure Rules  (Appendix 5c); and

(4)  Cabinet notes the comments of the Corporate Scrutiny Committee.