Issue - meetings

The Head of Strategic Finance and Property and the Head of Communications, Strategy and Policy submitted a report updating Members on finance and performance monitoring for East Herts Council for 2016/17 as at 30 June 2017.  Officers provided a summary of the report in relation to revenue budget forecasts, capital schemes and performance indicators. 

It was noted that of the 37 Performance Indicators reported corporately, 17 of the 28 indictors had achieved or sat within their target range.  Three results were not available and eight did not meet their target, the detail of which was set out in the report.

The Head of Strategic Finance and Property explained why the overspend in Legal and Democratic Services had occurred and that the underspend in Housing related to staff vacancies.  The Head of Housing and Health assured Members that targets were being achieved despite some “pinch points” within the service. 

In relation to schemes within the remit of the Head of Shared Business and Technology Services (Essential Reference Paper E), the Head of Strategic Finance and Property assured Councillor D Oldridge that there were a lot of complex projects being pursued across two authorities, but that economies of scale were being achieved.  She commented that some of the schemes might require a longer timeframe.

Councillor D Andrews referred to the issue of contaminated loads and queried whether this was getting worse.  The Head of Strategic Finance and Property stated that she would refer the issue to the Head of Operations. 

The Committee Chairman referred to the Capital Programme adding that there were a lot of old schemes still included in this.  The Head of Strategic Finance and Property provided an update and in relation to the housing benefit subsidy scheme.

Councillor P Boylan drew Members’ attention to Table 2 (Revenue Forecast Outturn) in that the total net cost of services was £13,945,000 and not as detailed in the report.

Officers responded to a number of detailed queries from the Committee.  Members received the report and supported the recommendations, now detailed.

RESOLVED – that (A) the report be received;

(B)      the projected revenue budget forecast overspend of £90k in 2017/18, as detailed in paragraph 2.1 of the report, be reviewed;

(C)      a transfer of £500k from earmarked reserves to set up a Housing Benefit Subsidy equalisation reserve as detailed in paragraphs 2.8.1 and 4.7 be supported;

(D)      the capital budget forecast underspend of £318k, as detailed in paragraph 6.1of the report submitted, be reviewed; and

(E)      the reported performance for the period April  to June 2017 as detailed in paragraph 8, be noted.