Issue - meetings

The Assistant Director of Resources and Regulation, Steve Kenyon, presented a report updating Members of the Committee on the Authority’s financial position as at 30 June 2014 in line with the Committee’s Statement of Purpose to ‘provide independent scrutiny of the authority’s exposure to risk and the control environment’.

The report set out the projected overspend of £1.710m as at 30 June 2014. This was reported as representing approximately 1.19% of the total net budget of £143.654m.

The Cabinet had received a more in-depth report at their meeting on 3 September and the report will also be considered by Overview and Scrutiny Committee at its meeting on 7 October 2014.

Further analysis was provided in relation to commitment accounting and balance sheet monitoring as well as the position on the general fund balance.

Members were given the opportunity to ask questions and make comments and the following points were raised:-

·                     Councillor Walker referred to the position of Communities and Wellbeing and asked how this figure had been reached.

Steve explained that Communities and Wellbeing incorporated Adult Care Services and as such was responsible for care packages across the borough, some of which could be quite costly.

·                     Councillor FitzGerald referred to the position of the Resources and Regulation Department at £1.344m and asked for an explanation relating to this figure.

Steve explained that 50% related to the overspend relating from the old Chief Executives Department and was mainly around Property Services shortfall in income and Bradley Fold and the Millgate Centre. The other half of the figure was from the new services that had been brought into the department such as Planning, Highways and Car Parking these also related to shortfall in income.

·                     A question was asked in relation to the amount of borrowing reported.

It was explained that the figure had risen due a loan being taken out. It was explained that a previous loan had been repaid and the new loan had been taken out quite a while after which explained the difference in the figures.

·                     Councillor Mallon referred to the amount set aside for equal pay settlements and asked how this figure had been calculated.

Steve explained that the figure was an estimate but it was felt that it was a realistic one.

·                     Councillor Heneghan asked if there was any resolution in sight with regards to the equal pay settlements.

Steve explained that it was difficult to predict when it would be over. The cases were in the hands of the solicitors who were dealing with them.

Members of the Committee were asked to note the contents of the report.

Delegated decision:

That the contents of the report be noted.