Decision details

The report of the Acting Assistant Director Finance was submitted, advising Members of the overall projected financial position of the General Fund Revenue Budget and Housing Revenue Account after three months, for the 2013/14 financial year. The Service Committees showed an overspend of £378,990 against a revised Service Net Expenditure budget of £12,223,520.

In response to a Member, the Acting Assistant Director Finance advised that the main variance in the Housing Revenue Account was due to additional funding required for Phase 2 of the Council Own Build Programme, which had been previously approved by the Executive.

Members welcomed the improvements undertaken in Cowick Street and the installation of solar panels on the Civic Centre. They discussed the need to scrutinise the trends of sundry debts figures over a five year period; the kitchen and bathroom programme and to invite external contractors to address Members through a Members briefing. It was also felt that Executive should have an overview of the Housing Benefits situation particular in relation to the backlog of applications and progress towards the February 2014 deadline for the claiming of subsidy from the Government.

The Deputy Chief Executive advised that the installation of the solar panels had generated a savings of approximately 40% in electricity usage at the Civic Centre and that the Council would looking to install solar panels on other suitable council buildings.

The Portfolio Holder for Housing and Customer Access proposed an additional recommendation that a detailed report on the Housing Benefit situation addressing the backlog of applications and February 2014 deadline be brought to the next Executive. This was agreed.

Scrutiny Committee – Resources considered the report at its meeting on 18 September and the comments of the Members were noted.

Executive recommended that Council notes and approves:-

(1)        General Fund forecast financial position for the 2013/14 financial year;

(2)        HRA forecast financial position for 2013/14 financial year;

(3)        additional supplementary budgets listed in Appendix C of the report;

(4)        the outstanding Sundry Debt position as at June 2013; and

(5)        creditors’ payments performance. and

Executive resolved that a report on the Housing Benefits situation be placed on the agenda of the next Executive.