Issue - meetings

Consideration was given to report of the Chief Officer Resources.

The Chief Officer Resources presented the report which provided details on the provisional outturn financial position to 31st March 2021 across all portfolios, and details of any significant adverse and/or favourable variances.  The report formed part of the quarterly financial reporting framework to Members.

The Officer went through the report and highlighted points contained therein.  The overall provisional financial position as at 31st March 2021 indicated a £161k

underspend against a total in year capital budget of £17.78m.  The overall position across all Portfolios was shown in the table at section 5.1.1 of the report.

A Member asked whether any capital schemes had been significantly delayed due to the Covid pandemic.

The Chief Officer Resources said she was not aware of any capital schemes that had been significantly delayed.  The pandemic had impacted on costs, but not on implementation of projects.

The Head of Community Services said the fact we were able to continue major contracts during the pandemic was credit to the Contractors and staff.  He reported that moving forward into quarter 1 some of the overspends were less than envisaged and he anticipated a more favourable report during quarters 1 and 2.

Members thanked staff within the Community Services section for their hard work throughout the pandemic.

A Member requested an update on the final account for the Roseheyworth HWRC construction, and the Chief Officer Resources confirmed that this would be reported to a future meeting of the Committee.

The Committee AGREED to recommend that the report be accepted, and:

     i.        Provided appropriate challenge to the financial outcomes in the report;

    ii.        Continue to support appropriate financial control procedures as agreed by Council; and

  iii.        Noted the budgetary control and monitoring procedures in place within the Capital Team, to safeguard Authority funding be noted.