Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Assistant Director Finance.

Scrutiny Committee – Resources considered the report at its meeting on 16 March 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 to advise Members 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.

Members were advised that the revised capital programme for the current financial year was £19,175 million, and during the first nine months of the year, the Council spent £10,271 million on the programme, which equated to 53.6% of the revised programme. 

Scrutiny Committee – Resources considered the report at its meeting on 16 March 2016 and its comments were reported.

RECOMMENDED that Council notes and approves:-

(1)        the revisions to the capital programme detailed in paragraph section 8.1; and

(2)        the revision of the annual capital programme to reflect the reported variations detailed in paragraphs 8.4 and 8.5.

To consider the report of the Assistant Director Finance.

The Assistant Director Finance presented the report to update Members on the current position in respect of the Council’s revised annual capital programme and of the anticipated level of deferred expenditure into future years. The revised capital programme for the current financial year was £19.175 million, and during the first nine months of the year, the Council spent £10.271 million on the programme, which equated to 53.6% of the revised programme. 

The Assistant Director Finance responded as follows to Members’ questions:-

·           Warm Up Exeter is being relaunched after the start of a new Government initiative in the New Year. He would enquire about the relationship between Cosy Devon and Warm up Exeter for the Member.

·           the Corporate Manager Property advised that the health and safety issues associated with the delay in replacing the external passenger lift on the frontage of the RAMM were being managed on site.  There had been some changes to the original specification which would require a Listed Buildings planning application.

·           work had been undertaken and completed at Mincinglake reed beds.

·           the Corporate Property Manager confirmed that the funding remained for works on the  Exhibition Way Bridge to ensure that no debris fell onto the railway.  He also confirmed the sum allocated for the Ibstock Environmental Improvements would enable the City Council to employ an environmental consultant to offer advice in respect of the land remediation of proposed public open space at Rougement Mews.

·           a request that the list of outstanding Section 106 monies be reported to Members in the new municipal year be agreed.

A Member referred to the bollard, which prevented traffic from gaining free access to Cathedral Yard, which appeared to be permanently open enabling cars to park without any challenge. A Member was aware that there had been protracted dialogue between the City and County Councils.  He suggested that the BID could consider managing the arrangements for the access, provided that the outstanding legal agreement was resolved. It was suggested that a sum of money be identified to commence this work to ensure that only authorised vehicles could access Cathedral Yard, as had always been intended. The Assistant Director Finance stated that a request could be considered but that there were revenue as well as capital implications.  It was agreed that the options would be explored.

Scrutiny Committee – Resources noted the current position in respect of the annual Capital Programme and recommended approval by Council.