Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Assistant Director Finance.

Corporate Services Scrutiny Committee considered the report at its meeting on 24 November 2016 and its comments will be reported.

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

The Assistant Director advised that, during the first six months of the year, the Council had spent £4.063 million on the capital programme compared to £4.683 million being spent in the first six months of 2015/16. The additions to the capital programme were:-

·         City Wide Property Level Protection - £100,000 funding being provided by Devon County Council; and

·         Topsham – Bowling Green Marshes Coastal Defence Scheme - £40,000 2016/17 and £260,000 2017/18 funded by the Environment Agency.

The Portfolio Holder for City Development stated that the Topsham Coastal Defence scheme would not only protect a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) but a small number of properties as well.

In response to a Member’s question, the Deputy Chief Executive clarified that the Council had been awarded full funding for the two additional schemes to the capital programme however both require the Council to spend money first and then make regular applications to claim the funding.

Corporate Services Scrutiny Committee considered the report at its meeting on 24 November 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 8.4 and 8.5; and

(2)          the additions to the capital programme detailed in paragraph 8.6.

To consider the report of the Assistant Director Finance.

The Principal Accountant (PM) presented the report of the current position in respect of the Council’s revised annual capital programme and to advise Members of the anticipated level of deferred expenditure into future years.

The Principal Accountant advised Members that, during the first six months of the year the Council spent £4.063 million of the programme, the schemes to be deferred included Energy Saving Projects of £1,644,500 and LAINGS refurbishments of £1 million.

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 8.6 of the report and recommend its approval by Council.