Agenda and minutes

The Director of Housing and Neighbourhood Services presented a report on the Housing Revenue Account which, to the end of October, 2011, was projected to outturn on budget with a transfer to Working Balance (HRA reserves) of £4.669M, this being £56,000 above the approved budget.

A forecast increase in Repairs and Maintenance expenditure, due mainly to increased activity in empty homes turnover rates, could be contained within existing resources as a result of savings within supervision and management costs together with a forecast increase in income.

The report provided details of:-

-        Budget Operating Statement (Appendix A)

-        Income and expenditure charged to the HRA

-        Projected outturn based upon activity to the end of October 2011 (Appendix A Column B)

-        Expenditure/commitments to date including major changes

-        Repairs and Maintenance – increased spend

-        Supervision and Management – forecast underspend

-        Income

Discussion ensued on:-

-        Voids – monitored on a weekly basis

-        Vacancy management

-        Repairs and maintenance target

-        Voids Team established in the new structure

Resolved:-  (1)  That the report be noted.

(2)  That the forecast savings on Supervision and Management are utilised to meet the projected increased spend on Repairs and Maintenance.

(3)  That a report be submitted on the planned changes to the voids system.

The Director of Housing and Neighbourhoods Services, submitted a report which detailed the projected year end outturn position as at 31st October, 2011, for the Neighbourhoods department within the Neighbourhoods and Adult Services Directorate compared to the approved Net Revenue Budget.

The latest position was a projected underspend of £61,000 by the end of March, 2012.

Most services were projecting balanced or near balanced budgets by the year end with the following exceptions:-

Housing Access                                 £16,000 underspend

Housing Choices                                £32,000 underspend

Safer Neighbourhoods                       £62,000 underspend 

Business and Regulation                    £2,000 overspend

Neighbourhood Partnerships £3,000 underspend

Neighbourhood Investment                £50,000 overspend

To date there was no spend on either Agency or Consultancy within Neighbourhoods.  Actual expenditure to the end of August, 2011 on non-contractual overtime for Neighbourhood Services was £6,000.

Resolved:- That the report be received and noted.

Resolved:-  That, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (information relating to the financial or business affairs of any person (including the Council)).

Resolved:-  That, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (information relating to the financial or business affairs of any person (including the Council)).

The Director of Housing and Neighbourhood Services submit a report on the background to the lease of land from Fitzwilliam (Wentworth) Estates to the Council at Car Hill in 1958 to tip waste and refuse.  The site had now closed and the Council had a statutory duty to monitor the site for leachate and a further contractual obligation to restore the land.

The report set out the extensive negotiations that had taken place with Fitzwilliam (Wentworth) Estates, the Environment Agency and agricultural valuers as to the options available.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the report be noted.

(2)  That a negotiated settlement to the lease be supported.