Issue - meetings

RESOLVED - that (A) the comments of the joint meeting of Scrutiny Committees of 14 January 2014, be received; and

(B)   the new Capital Programme for the period 2013/14 (Revised) to 2016/17, be approved.

(see also Minute 550)

The Executive Member for Finance submitted a report setting out proposals for the Council’s Capital Programme for 2013/14 (Revised) – 2016/17.  The joint meeting of Scrutiny Committees, at their meeting held on 14 January 2014, had supported the proposals.

The Executive Member highlighted that the proposed programme of over £11M for the four year period as now detailed in the report submitted, was not fully funded and would require “internal borrowing” or “disinvestment” of approximately £5.3M.

A number of questions were asked in respect of swimming pools, disabled facilities grants and capital grants.

The Executive Member for Health, Housing and Community Support advised that Officers had regular meetings with Stevenage Leisure Management at which capital improvements as appropriate were discussed.  In respect of capital grants, she stated that she would be happy to review conditions if appropriate.  She explained the priority given to rural areas and that funds left over in this year would be allocated to the towns.

The Director of Neighbourhood Services explained the dip in demand for disabled facilities grants, but that working with Hertfordshire County Council, he was confident that the budget would be fully spent by the end of the year.

In response to a question on the re-profiling of slippage, as detailed in the summary of the programme at Essential Reference Paper ‘B’, the Director of Finance and Support Services stated that this related to number of smaller schemes.  She undertook to provide a written breakdown to the Executive Member for Strategic Planning and Transport.

The Executive commended the proposals as now detailed.

RECOMMENDED - that (A) the comments of the joint meeting of Scrutiny Committees of 14 January 2014, be received; and

(B)      the new Capital Programme for the period 2013/14 (Revised) to 2016/17, be approved.

The Executive Member for Finance submitted a report setting out proposals for the Council’s Capital Programme for the period 2013/14 (Revised) to 2016/17.  Members were provided with a detailed breakdown of the process whereby the reports referred to in Minutes 465 – 467 fed in to the Consolidated Budget Report and the Medium Term Financial Plan.  These were integral to the budget setting process for 2014/15.

Members were referred to Essential Reference Paper ‘B’ for the estimates for five new schemes relating to the essential works that were required to pools and offices in line with the property maintenance plan.

In relation to a query from Councillor G Williamson in respect of the resources detailed on page 10 of the report now submitted, the Director of Finance and Support Services advised that the table at paragraph 2.11 detailed the costs of the disinvestment or internal borrowing that was being used to fund the capital programme.

Councillor G Jones commented on the difference between the original and revised estimates in the capital programme.  The Director of Finance and Support Services confirmed that figures changed throughout the year as additional funding or schemes were added to the capital programme.  Schemes included in the programme were also subject to slippage or amendment and budgets were therefore adjusted accordingly.

Councillor J Wing commented on whether there should be greater flexibility in the use or resources in the capital programme.  He sought and was given clarification as to how the capital grants budget was allocated and often resulted in the award being spent across more than one year.  Councillor J Wing was advised he might wish to discuss the matter with the relevant Executive portfolio holder. 

Councillor J Wing believed that the capital programme allocation for the play area development programme at The Bourne in Ware would be better spent in the Priory play area, as this was where most young people in the town went for play activity.

The Director of Finance and Support Services stated that no works would take place until a full design scheme was completed and a business case was approved.  She emphasised that, unless the funding was identified in the capital programme at the start of the year, the capital could not be spent.

Councillor R Beeching queried whether the £25,000 allocation for works to Leventhorpe Pool was the total estimate or East Herts Council’s contribution.  The Chief Executive and Director of Customer and Community Services stated that this was the full amount and a full business case would be submitted to CMT before any works were carried out.

In response to a query from Councillor P Ballam in respect of Fanshawe Pool in Ware, the Chief Executive and Director of Customer and Community Services advised that Officers had been instructed that there should not be any additional expenditure regarding the joint use pools until negotiations with the schools and Hertfordshire County Council had been resolved.

The joint meeting of Scrutiny Committees resolved to inform the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 465