Issue - meetings

The Executive Member for Resources and Internal Support submitted a report setting out proposals for the Council’s Capital Programme for 2010/11 (Revised) – 2013/14.  He drew attention to the wider context of diminishing capital receipts which would necessitate reducing the programme over this period.

The joint meeting of Scrutiny Committees, at their meeting held on 18 January 2011, had supported the proposals.

In response to questions by Members, assurances were given that expenditure on the maintenance of pools would only be incurred when necessary.  It was also noted that a resolution to the difficulties in progressing the “What’s on” sign had yet to be identified.

The Executive commended the Capital programme as now submitted.

RECOMMENDED – that (A) the comments of the Joint Scrutiny Committees of 18 January 2011, be received; and

(B)      the new Capital Programme for the period 2010/11 (Revised) to 2013/14 as now submitted be approved.

The Executive Member for Resources and Internal Support submitted a report setting out proposals for the Council’s Capital Programme for the period 2010/11 (Revised) to 2013/14.  The Capital Programme had been amended for items of slippage and rephasing.  Other amendments had been approved through the Council’s monthly healthcheck.  Lead Officers had submitted proposals for new schemes and investment requirements had been identified through the Medium Term Financial Plan process.

The Programme was presented with various detailed schemes having been combined which would facilitate the overall management of resources.  The aggregate of proposed spend on individual schemes had been adjusted by a provision for slippage to produce a programme total against which total spending would be performance managed.

Existing rolling programmes of work had been continued up to 2013/14.  These provided funding in areas such as affordable housing, private sector renovation grants, provision of play equipment, community grants, information technology upgrades and various environmental initiatives.  The provision of replacement litter bins had been extended and the ongoing budget for commercial waste bins reflected growth in that area.

The Programme, in the Essential Reference Paper attached to the report now submitted, included proposals for a number of new schemes which were shown in bold type.

The details of how the programme would be funded were given.  The Council would need to consider the sustainability of the programme.

Members raised questions on a number of topics.  These included the renewal of the disabled lift in Wallfields reception area, which it was explained, was going to be refurbished and would be managed and maintained by a new company in future.  In response to a question, the Director of Community and Customer  Services explained the purchase of Baldock Road and Apton Road car parks would save money in the long term.  He also undertook to give a written response on expenditure on shared-facility swimming pools.  Members queried expenditure on the footbridge in Bishop’s Stortford and a replacement Land Rover and Officers explained the need for this.  One Member suggested it would be more useful to spend money allocated for a new pedestrian bridge at Grange Paddock on improving the footpath leading to the town centre.

The Committees decided to make the comments now detailed to the Executive.

RESOLVED - that (A) the Executive be informed that the Joint Scrutiny Committees note the invest to save aspects of the Capital Programme and consider it is appropriately phased and the Programme should be approved; and

(B)      a written response be provided on shared-facility swimming pools’ expenditure.