Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Assistant Director Finance.

Corporate Services Scrutiny Committee considered the report at its meeting on 29 September 2016 and its comments will be reported.

The report of the Assistant Director Finance was submitted to update Members on the current position in respect of the Council’s revised annual capital programme and advise of the anticipated level of deferred expenditure into future years. The report also sought approval to amend the annual capital programme in order to reflect the reported variations.

The Assistant Director Finance advised Members that, during the first three months of the year, the Council spent 6.8% of the capital programme compared with 6.6% being spent in the first three months of 2015/16. He advised of the expenditure variances including the Northbrook Flood alleviation scheme and RAMM Development. Members were assured that, while the Bus Station Complex appeared in the schemes to be deferred to 2017/18, the project would be delivered within the agreed timescales. The achievements during the first quarter of 2016/17 were the replacement of Car Park Ticket machines and repair to Turf Lock Gates.

There were two additions to the Capital Programme to be recommended to Council:-

• Railway Arches at Riverside, Cowick Street for £60,000, this had increased from the £50,000 in the circulated report due to the tender received – this had been made under Section 21 of Financial Regulations regarding the urgency of the decision; and
• Farmers’ Market Electricity Supply of an additional £10,000 to the original approved £20,000.

Members had concerns regarding the increase cost of the electricity supply to the Farmers Market and requested that Members be advised of business case for this proposal.

Corporate Services Scrutiny Committee considered the report at its meeting on 29 September 2016 and its comments were reported.

RECOMMENDED Council notes and approves the;

(1)        revision of the annual capital programme to reflect the reported variations detailed in paragraphs section 8.4 and 8.5;

(2)        addition to the Capital Programme of £60,000 for the Railway Arches at Riverside, Cowick Street; and

(3)        an additional £10,000 to the original approved £20,000 for the Farmers’ Market Electricity Supply, Members to be advised of the business case for this proposal.

To consider the report of the Assistant Director Finance.

The Assistant Director Finance presented the report of the current position in respect of the Council’s revised annual capital programme and advising Members of the anticipated level of deferred expenditure into future years.

The Assistant Director Finance advised Members that, during the first three months of the year, the Council spent £2.167 million on the programme, which equated to 6.8% of the revised programme.  This compared with £1.534 million (6.6%) being spent in the first three months of 2015/16. He advised of the expenditure variances including the Northbrook Flood alleviation scheme; e-tendering and RAMM Development. Members were assured, that while the Bus Station Complex appeared in the schemes to be deferred to 2017/18, the project would be delivered within the agreed timescales. The achievements during the first quarter of 2016/17 were the replacement of Car Park Ticket machines and repair to Turf Lock Gates.

There were two additions to the Capital Programme to be recommended to Council:-

·         Railway Arches at Riverside, Cowick Street for £50,000 - this had been made under Section 21 of Financial Regulations regarding the urgency of the decision; and

·         Farmers’ Market Electricity Supply of an additional £10,000 to the original approved £20,000.

Corporate Services Scrutiny Committee noted the revision in respect of the annual Capital Programme to reflect the reported variations detailed in paragraphs 8.4 and 8.5 of the report, and the additions to the Capital Programme detailed in paragraph 8.7 of the report and recommended its approval by Council.