Issue - meetings

Further to Minute No. 52 of the Joint meeting of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Development Services and the Cabinet Member for Streetpride held on 16^th March, 2009, consideration was given to a report, presented by Karl Battersby, Stategic Director of Environment and Development Services, detailing the performance against budget of the Environment and Development Services Directorate as at the end of January, 2009.  A forecast for the whole of the 2008/2009 financial year was also reported.

The Panel’s attention was drawn to:-

-                      the continually reducing overspend

-                      key areas of pressure:-  consultancy fee income;  winter maintenance budget; unfounded flood related expenses

-                      areas of improvement being explored

-                      further savings identified

Members of the Panel commented on:-

-           the efforts being made to manage the budget towards a balanced outturn

-           responsibility for the budget for Off Road Motorcycling

Resolved:-  (1)  That the report be received and officers of the Directorate be congratulated on their efforts to remain within budget.

(2)  That clarification be sought regarding which Directorate was now responsible for Off Road Motorcycling.

Fiona Earl, Principal Accountant, to report.

-           to provide an update.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Principal Accountant, detailing the performance against the revenue budget for the Environment and Development Services Directorate as at the end of January 2009, together with a forecast outturn for the whole of the 2008/09 financial year.

It was explained that the forecast overspend primarily represented pressures due to the shortfall of fee income recovery within Asset Management and pressure within the Winter Maintenance account due to a severe Winter.

Members’ attention was also drawn to further emerging key areas of pressure:-

-                      Consultancy fee income

-                      Winter maintenance budget

-                      Unfounded flood related expenses (security/pumping at Ulley Country Park)

Other issues raised by Members included:-

-                      Library Services at Wickersley

-                      The YES project

Resolved:-  (1)That the forecast outturn position of an overspend of £414,000 for the Environment & Development Services Directorate based on expenditure and income as at the end of January 2009 and forecast expenditure and income to the 31st March 2009 be noted. 

(2)   That this report be referred to the Regeneration Scrutiny Panel for information.