Issue - meetings

The Director of Finance and Support Services submitted a report updating Members on finance, performance and strategic risk monitoring for East Herts Council for 2015/16 as at September 2015.

The Head of Strategic Finance provided a detailed explanation of some of the revenue and budget figures referred to in the report.  He confirmed to Councillor M Pope that the expected yield of 5.02% on the property purchase of Old River Lane was a gross figure.

Councillor R Brunton commented on whether there was any further opportunity for Members to scrutinise the collective agreement reached with Unison regarding the proposed changes to the employee expenses policy.  The Director advised that the matter would be reported to Local Joint Panel in December 2015 and to Human Resources (HR) Committee in January 2016.  Members were reminded of the financial implications detailed in the report should HR Committee approve the collective agreement.

The Head of Strategic Finance and the Director responded to a number of other minor queries from Members.  The Corporate Planning and Performance Manager provided a detailed update in respect of the indicators that were relevant to the remit of Corporate Business Scrutiny Committee.  Members received the report and supported the recommendations now detailed.

RESOLVED – that (A) the report be received; and

(B)   the Executive be advised that Corporate Business Scrutiny Committee has no comments to make in respect of the following:

(1)     the revenue budget forecast underspend of £556k (paragraph 2.1);

(2)     the use of the General Reserve to fund the settlement of the collective action bought against the Council in respect of Land Charges for £78k (paragraph 2.6.3);

(3)     the use of the transformation reserve to fund the compensation payments in respect of changes to the employee expenses policy of £198k (paragraph 2.9);

(4)     proposed slippage on the following capital schemes:

·              Hartham Common, preliminary works, £25k (paragraph 3.3);

·              Castle Weir, Micro Hydro Scheme, £201k (paragraph 3.4);

·              Historic Building Grants, £36.7k (paragraph 3.5);

·              Fanshawe Swimming pool, air conditioning, £15k (paragraph 3.6);

(5)     the indicators that could be at risk of decline in the future as set out in paragraph 7.2 be noted; and

(6)     the amendment to the indicator set out in paragraph 7.4 be noted.