Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Lumley and Councillor Sheldon.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting held on 230118.

The minutes of the meeting held on 230118 were confirmed and authorised to be signed by the chair.

Members to declare any interest as appropriate in respect of items to be considered at this meeting.

Councillor Pearson and Councillor Posnett declared a personal interest in any matters relating to the County Council due to their positions as County Councillors.

There were no recommendations from other committees.

The Director for Corporate Services to submit a report to update the Committee on the progress of schemes within the Capital Programme to 28 February 2018.

The Director for Corporate Services submitted a report to update the Committee on the progress of schemes within the Capital Programme to 28 February 2018.

The Corporate Services Manager gave an overview of the report and drew Members’ attention to 5.2 of the report that shows an underspend of £408k. It was noted that this is predominantly due to underspends listed in 5.3 of the report:

The Public Conveniences underspend is being carried forward into 2018/19. Works were delayed due to additional planning permission and the inclement weather.

Disabled Facilities Grant – this underspend can be carried forward.

Leisure Vision – It has been confirmed that the Football Foundation will not be able to claim the second grant of £45k and as a result of the interim agreement for the management of the MSV site to continue for another 4 years whilst the longer term vision is developed the capital cost incurred to date would have to be funded through revenue.

There has been some repayment of the warm homes grant which can be used to off-set the initial funding provision.

Project mandate for the ‘Footpath for all’ was considered by the Town Area Committee at the recent meeting in March as part of their consutlaton role and the feedback was that they were supportive of this project being approved.

A member stated being disappointed in the delays in procurement.

The Corporate Services Manager noted that in terms of the Housing Revenue Account this could potentially be due to resourcing in the team as well as time consuming contracts. It was noted that projects are being delivered on budget at this point which is positive and delays with the Beckmill Court Refurbishment are outside of our control.

A member asked what the reason for the delay on affordable housing in the HAMP is.

The Interim Director for Growth and Regeneration advised that this was a straightforward matter and updated members that he had been asked to sign off on the purchase of the property in question and so the matter had been resolved.

A member asked in which area are properties having new doors and windows as per Appendix A and if West Avenue and Sysonby Street can be expected to have replacement fittings.

The Chair noted that this is an ongoing project and so doors and windows are being replaced as and when necessary in all properties.

The Interim Director for Growth and Regeneration noted that as part of the Decent Homes Programme this is on track and is an ongoing process for all properties.

Councillor Holmes, as an observer, enquired about the public conveniences.

Councillor Posnett and Councillor Chandler exited the room as this point, declaring an interest in this matter due to their positions on the Planning Committee.

The Chair noted that the new public conveniences will save money as new system will be semi-automatic and well require less staff. The project was delayed due to a planning issue.

Councillor Holmes noted that these toilets are used  ...  view the full minutes text for item C63

The Director of Corporate Services to submit a report to provide information on actual expenditure and income incurred on this Committee’s   services compared to the latest approved budget for the period 1st April 2017 to 31st  December 2017.

The Director of Corporate Services submitted a report to provide information on actual expenditure and income incurred on this Committee’s services compared to the latest approved budget for the period 1^st April 2017 to 31^st December 2017.

The Corporate Services Manager introduced the report and directed members to section 3.3 of the report which gives a summary of the income and expenditure for this Committee’s services in comparison to the approved budget at December 2017. Members were made aware that there is a overspend against the latest budget for general expenses of £159,100. This was explained as being due to the following services/projects, as per 3.6 of the report:

Public Conveniences

Leisure Vision

Homelessness

Lifeline

Wheels to Work

It was noted that the overspends on the Homelessness and Lifeline services are predominantly due to aged debt being written off. In these areas, money was deemed to be unrecoverable due to the length of time that had passed as well as the sensitivity of the cases.

A member asked how debts have accumulated for services such as Lifeline as customers pay by direct debit.

The Corporate Services Manager noted that a lot of the debt is very old and could not have realistically pursued.

The Chair added that in terms of Homelessness, the people who received the service were vulnerable and so a lot of cases would need to be written off.

A member asked whose responsibility it is to monitor debt.

The Corporate Services Manager noted that debt recovery falls on the revenue team, however it is also the responsibility of the service area and budget holder to monitor debt and approve actions. This process has recently had stronger enforcement behind it so as to avoid large write offs in the future.

The Deputy Chief Executive noted that in light of these points and the discussion around lifeline specifically, there will be a review of this service to be  addressed as a priority. The Lifeline service has recently become more commercial and so payment systems can be reviewed alongside this.

The Chair sought a proposer and seconder.

All members were in favour.

RESOLVED that the financial position on each of this Committee’s services to 31^st December 2017 and year end forecast be noted.

The Director for Corporate Services and The Interim Director for Growth and Regeneration to submit a joint report to provide information on actual expenditure and income incurred on the Housing Revenue Account (HRA), compared to the latest approved budget for the period 1 April 2017 to 31 December 2017.

The Director for Corporate Services submitted a report to provide information on actual expenditure and income incurred on the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) , compared to the latest approved budget for the period 1 April 2017 to 31 December 2017.

The Corporate Services Manager gave an overview of the report and directed members to section 3.3 of the report and noted that this gives a summary of the total income and expenditure for the HRA. Members were made aware that this shows a total expenditure underspend of £212k. Section 3.6 of the report shows budget variances that details a staffing underspend as well as an underspend for repairs and maintenance.

The Chair sought a proposer and a seconder.

All members were in favour.

RESOLVED that the financial position on the HRA to 31 December 2017 and the yearend forecast be noted.

The Director of Growth and Regeneration to submit a report to outline the recommended future funding commitments and revised future operating area for the Wheels 2 Work (W2W) scheme.

The Director of Growth and Regeneration submitted a report to outline the recommended future funding commitments and revised future operating area for the Wheels to Work (W2W) scheme.

RESOLVED that the recommendations within the exempt report be approved.

To consider any other items that the Chair considers urgent

There was no urgent business.