Agenda item

This report presents the second monitoring information for the Authority as a whole for the financial year 2013/14 to the end of September 2013. The report also includes a number of budget transfer requests for both revenue and capital

Councillor David Bellotti explained that this item was about the way the Council spent its money.  It was good news – the Council continued to operate within its budget.  He thanked the officers who had worked hard to ensure that services were delivered within budget.  He made particular reference to the increased visitor numbers at the Roman Baths and to the fact that the council had been able to repay £50M of expensive debt by careful cash flow management.  This had been achieved against the backdrop of no Council Tax rise.  He listed a number of projects across the area into which the Council had invested large sums.  He moved the proposals.

Councillor Paul Crossley seconded the proposal.  He reminded the Cabinet that in difficult financial times it was a huge challenge to deliver services but said how pleased he was that there would be no Children’s Centre closures.  He listed a number of schemes across the area which had recently been completed.

Councillor David Dixon welcomed the very positive report which showed the investment which had been made into the whole area.  He urged Cabinet members to consider what would be done in subsequent years to attract visitors to Bath.

On a motion from Councillor David Bellotti, seconded by Councillor Paul Crossley, it was

RESOLVED (unanimously)

(1) To ASK Strategic Directors to work towards managing within budget in the current year for their respective service areas, and to manage below budget where possible by not committing unnecessary expenditure, through tight budgetary control;

(2) To NOTE the revenue budget position;

(3) To NOTE the capital expenditure position for the Council in the financial year to the end of September and the year end projections;

(4) To AGREE the revenue virements listed for approval; and

(5) To NOTE the changes in the capital programme.