Issue - meetings

To consider a report by Councillor Julian Thompson-Hill, Lead Member for Finance, Corporate Plan and Performance (copy enclosed) detailing the latest financial position and progress against the agreed budget strategy.

RESOLVED that Cabinet notes the budgets set for 2015/16 and progress against the agreed budget strategy.

Councillor Julian Thompson-Hill presented the report detailing the latest financial position and progress against the agreed budget strategy.  He provided a summary of the Council’s financial position as follows –

·        a net under spend of £0.298m was forecast for service and corporate budgets

·        91% of agreed savings had been achieved to date (target £7.3m) and details of progress towards achieving the remaining 9% had also been provided

·        highlighted key variances from budgets or savings targets relating to individual service areas, and

·        a general update on the Housing Revenue Account, Housing Capital Plan and the Capital Plan (including the Corporate Plan element).

The following matters were raised during debate –

·         Councillor Eryl Williams referred to the policy of offering redundant school buildings to the local community as a first option but highlighted the number of long standing empty school buildings and costs incurred as a result – consequently work was underway to tighten the policy and ensure the community use offer did not remain open-ended

·         Councillor David Smith explained the implications of the reductions in fee income from the North and Mid Wales Trunk Road Agency and the allocation of investment and level of work in this area.  Councillor Huw Jones highlighted that the A5 trunk road was in particular need of investment

·         particular reference was made to the progress in achieving the remaining 9% (£638k) of savings for 2015/16 and some projected to be achieved by 2016/17 – any shortfall caused by delay in implementation would be met from other sources in the services concerned.

Councillor Julian Thompson-Hill also responded to questions raised by non-Cabinet members as follows –

·         approximately £900 savings had been identified from not paying travelling expenses to members attending meetings as observers

·         the framework agreement used for supply teachers had delivered savings

·         elaborated upon emerging risks regarding the council’s liabilities relating to historical claims in respect of the former Mutual Municipal Insurance Company

·         advised there had been a press release highlighting the benefits of the termination of the PFI agreement but specific terms remained confidential – in addition to significant savings the buyout provided greater flexibility over the buildings and car parks and work had commenced on investigating possibilities in terms of future use.  Councillor Bobby Feeley reported that she was preparing some literature for local residents to update them on the PFI buyout and associated issues as they progressed

·         confirmed that any future rent freeze by the Welsh Government would have an impact and be contained in the Housing Revenue Account budget.

The Chief Executive reported upon the relatively healthy financial position at this stage in the financial year and he was confident of a balanced budget.   He referred to the imminent Autumn Financial Statement and implications for Wales and raised concerns that local government could lose out to other areas of the public sector.

RESOLVED that Cabinet notes the budgets set for 2015/16 and progress against the agreed budget strategy.