Issue - meetings

Cabinet Member for Resources - Councillor Mark Elliott – introduced the item. He explained that the year was finished essentially in balance which is something to be celebrated. There was a lot of variance between departments and some mitigating actions have been taken.

Panel members made the following points and asked the following questions:

Councillor Treby asked for information on how the gap regarding the Capital Programme can be addressed in the future. The Cabinet Member explained that it was improving this year and some areas are managing to deliver more then before such as the Highways Improvement Programme. The aim is to reduce the gap.

Councillor Blackburn asked about the underspend with regard to Western Riverside. The officer explained that this was related to the public realm following the removal of an old bridge. There was some funding from WECA (West of England Combined Authority) which released Council funding.

Councillor Tomlin asked about the overspend regarding elections costs. The officer explained that General Election costs are covered by the Government and the Council funds local elections – on this occasion costs were higher than the amount that had built up.

In response to a query from Councillor Hodge about mitigations, the Cabinet Member explained that Capital Programme investments had been slowed, vacancies held and costs on care home agency staff had reduced. Also some contingency funds had been used.

Councillor Hodge asked about the overspend on home to school transport. The Cabinet Member explained that the budget had been rebased and was not showing any problems this year. The Heritage budget had also been rebased based on a positive last year.

Councillor Hodge asked about the capital underspend and about steps in place for more capital delivery. The Cabinet Member explained that there had been a restructuring of Corporate Services which has been centralised with the aim of improving delivery.

The Chair thanked the Cabinet Member.