Decision details

A report to consider the means by which additional staff resources can be redirected to the service to help release senior management capacity to take forward the Council’s regeneration priorities .

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Bryning)

Cabinet received a report from the Head of Financial Services (Resources) which provided summary information regarding the provisional outturn for 2011/12.  It set out information regarding the carry forward of underspent/overspent revenue budgets and capital slippage for Members’ consideration.  It also incorporated the treasury management outturn report and sought approval of various Prudential Indicators for last year for referral on to Council.

The options, options analysis, including risk assessment and officer preferred option, were set out in the report as follows:

The City Council had a legal requirement to ensure that its expenditure was fully funded and to produce a Statement of Accounts in accordance with proper accounting practice.  In addition, the Prudential Indicators were a statutory requirement linked to the budgetary framework and therefore there were no alternative options for Cabinet to consider.  Members were asked to endorse certain actions taken by the Head of Financial Services (Resources), however Cabinet needed to consider whether it had sufficient information to do so or whether it required any further justification.  With regard to reserves contributions, there would be opportunities for these to be amended during the current financial year, as part of the usual arrangements.

The report requested Cabinet to consider a number of revenue budget carry forward matters and capital slippage.  The framework for considering these was set out in the report but basically Cabinet may:

·         Approve any number of the items / requests, in full or part.

·         Refuse any number of the requests and if commitments have already been incurred, require alternative funding options to be identified.  Cabinet should note, however, that this may impact on other areas of service delivery.

·         Request further information regarding them, if appropriate.  Cabinet is asked to bear in mind any work required against the value of the individual bids.

Officer recommendations regarding any carry forward of overspendings were set out in Appendix F, as attached to the report.  Where there were alternative options for other aspects of the outturn, in view of the comments made above there were no specific officer preferred options put forward.

As at 31 March the Council had improved its financial standing overall by generating net efficiency savings and through other underspendings.  Balances were again higher than forecast and this gave the Council some flexibility and comfort for addressing future challenges.  Efforts to draw out ongoing efficiencies and other budget savings should be taken wherever possible, to improve value for money as well as financial planning.

Cabinet then voted individually on each of the recommendations, as set out in the report and made a further recommendation regarding possible use of part of the underspends. Members voted unanimously on all of the recommendations.

Councillor Bryning proposed, seconded by Councillor Smith:-

“(1)      That the provisional outturn for 2011/12 be noted, including the transfers to provisions and reserves actioned by the Head of Financial Services (Resources) as set out in section 4.2 of the report.”

Councillor Bryning proposed, seconded by Councillor Blamire:

“(2)      That Cabinet approves the recommendations regarding carry forward of overspendings as set out at Appendix F of the report.”

“(3)      That Cabinet approves the requests to carry forward underspent revenue budgets as set out in Appendix G of the report with the exception of request 13 -  Williamsons Park – Improved Visitor Attractions.”

“(4)      That Cabinet approves the requests for capital slippage as set out at Appendix J of the report.”

“(5)      That the Annual Treasury Management report as set out at Appendix K of the report be noted and referred on to Council.”

“(6)      That the Prudential Indicators as at 31 March 2012 as set out at Appendix L of the report be approved for referral on to Council.”

Councillor Hanson proposed, seconded by Councillor Blamire:

“(7)      That the possibility of utilising part of the underspends as matchfunding towards the Empty Homes Grant together with other sources of funding be included in the Housing Regeneration report scheduled for September’s Cabinet,  feeding into the subsequent MTFS report .”

Resolved unanimously:

(1)        That the provisional outturn for 2011/12 be noted, including the transfers to provisions and reserves actioned by the Head of Financial Services (Resources) as set out in section 4.2 of the report.

(2)        That Cabinet approves the recommendations regarding carry forward of overspendings as set out at Appendix F of the report.

(3)        That Cabinet approves the requests to carry forward underspent revenue budgets as set out in Appendix G of the report with the exception of request 13 - Williamsons Park – Improved Visitor Attractions.

(4)        That Cabinet approves the requests for capital slippage as set out at Appendix J of the report.

(5)        That the Annual Treasury Management report as set out at Appendix K of the report be noted and referred on to Council.

(6)        That the Prudential Indicators as at 31 March 2012 as set out at Appendix L of the report be approved for referral on to Council.

(7)        That the possibility of utilising part of the underspends as matchfunding towards the Empty Homes Grant together with other sources of funding be included in the Housing Regeneration report scheduled for September’s Cabinet, feeding into the subsequent MTFS report.    

Officers responsible for effecting the decision:

Head of Financial Services (Resources)

Reasons for making the decision:

The City Council has a legal requirement to ensure that its expenditure is fully funded and to produce a Statement of Accounts in accordance with proper accounting practice.  In addition, the Prudential Indicators are a statutory requirement linked to the budgetary framework.  The decision enables Members to endorse certain actions taken by the Head of Financial Services (Resources), and with regard to reserves contributions, there will be opportunities for these to be amended during the current financial year, as part of the usual arrangements.