Agenda item

The Corporate Director to submit a report to update the Committee on the progress of schemes within the Capital Programme to 31st July 2017.

The Corporate Director 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 1st April 2017 to 30th June 2017.

The Central Services Manager gave an overview of the report, bringing Members attention to:

•Appendix A of the report showing the Capital Programme Progress Report 2017/18– Jul 2017.

•5.2 of the report noting the General Expenses underspend of £27,000.

•5.3 of the report noting the forecast is generally in line with the budget with schemes progressing although much expenditure has yet to be incurred. The three exceptions to this are: The Disabled Facilities Grants, which is expected that there will be an underspend against budget of £67k for which alternative uses are being explored. However, it is difficult to predict given the changes due to come in October regarding lightbulb. The Warm Homes Grant budget will be reduced by £10k as part of the budget setting process later in the year to reflect the refund of a repayment of a grant from 2016/17 which was partially funding the budget in 2017/18. The Central Services Manager paid particular attention to the third exception which was Tenders in relation to the Public Conveniences project; these have been received and evaluated with the anticipated costs of the main contract and other associated costs being £50k over budget. Members were asked to consider either increasing the programme or developing only one of the two sites (likely Wilton Road) and are asked to instruct officers as per recommendation 2.3.

A Discussion was had regarding Housing stock in regards to whether they have all had full electric checks, as a Member had read a report stating they have not.

The Head of Communities and Neighbourhoods noted that the performance information related to re-wiring and not the statutory checks the council has to undertake, these are carried out and the council has over 99% access and is progressing those properties they cannot access.. It was also noted that a full re wiring contract is being procured which would significantly improve the decent homes performance.

A Member enquired as to whether the work which is starting on Beckmill will involve cladding and sprinklers, to which the Head of Communities and Neighbourhoods noted that neither Granby House nor Beckmill court will have AMC cladding. With regards to sprinklers, there are no properties over three floors that require sprinklers. A Member noted that a MBC officer had told them that there would be cladding at Beckmill, which may want to be looked into. The Head of Communities & Neighbourhoods assured the Committee that specifications for the project had been reviewed to ensure they met all standards.

A Member noted that the Park Lane public convenience site would have more potential value if it receives planning permission.

A brief discussion took place regarding the Fairmead regeneration project with the Head of Communities and Neighbourhoods noting that this project is re starting and expecting delivery to start in 2018/19, and that  it is potentially a 2 year project.

The Chair sought a proposer and seconder to move the recommendations. All Members were in favour.

RESOLVED that

(1)The progress made on each capital scheme and that the capital programme will be amended as part of the budget setting process as outlined in sections 5.3 and 5.4 be noted by Members.

(2)The revised HRA capital programme under the Head of Communities and Neighbourhoods delegation as detailed in paragraph 5.4 be noted by Members.

(3)Members recommend a supplementary estimate to the Policy, Finance & Administration Committee for approval of £50,000 to be funded from capital receipts in order to progress the Public Conveniences Project for the construction of two new facilities.