Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Director Finance

Agreed:

RECOMMENDED that Council approves:-

(1)  the overall financial position for the 2023/24 annual capital programme; and

(2)  the amendments and further funding requests to the Council’s annual capital programme for 2023/24.

Reason for Decision: As set out in the report.

The Executive received the report on the current position of the Council’s revised annual capital programme, advising 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.

Particular reference was made to:-

·         full Council approved a general fund capital programme of £72 million, which as of December 2023, £3.45 million had been spent;

·         the total forecast spend for the financial year was £8.6 million;

·         the significant capital programme being carried forward into the new financial year, some of which had been approved in the February 2024 budget and the remainder would be presented to Members in July 2024;

·         the challenges in delivering capital receipts, with only £20,000 worth of general fund capital receipts generated in the financial year;

·         some schemes had been deferred, whilst other schemes including BLRF were no longer proceeding; and

·         the further funding requests outlined in the report were being sought this year and would be carried forward for delivery in the new financial year.

An opposition group leader spoke on the item and made the following points:-

·         Cllr Moore – enquired on the AV budget for equipment and whether it would be for improvements to meetings and broadcasting.

During the debate, a Member enquired on the issues of delivering the capital strategy and sought clarification on the uncertainty of the projects in relation to timings.

In response to questions raised, the Director Finance advised that:-

·         the AV programme should improve the technology used for delivering meetings;

·         some capital projects in the programme were uncertain by their very nature, and although there was a large budget for enhancements at the Guildhall Shopping Centre, it was not known when a lease would be ended or the budget required; and

·         there was an ongoing issue in recruiting and maintaining staff in engineering and corporate property services, which were vital in managing the capital programmes.

The Leader moved, and Councillor Denning seconded, the recommendations which were voted upon and CARRIED unanimously.

RECOMMENDED that Council approves:-

(1)  the overall financial position for the 2023/24 annual capital programme; and

(2)  the amendments and further funding requests to the Council’s annual capital programme for 2023/24.