Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday, 12 November 2019 were declared a true record and signed by the Chair.

To answer questions submitted by Opposition Group Leaders on items on the agenda.

There were no questions.

To answer questions submitted by citizens on the Council or its services.

There were no questions.

The report of the Executive Manager – Finance and Corporate Services is attached.  

It is was RESOLVED that

a)            the Revenue and Capital Budget Monitoring 2019/20 – Financial Update Quarter 2 be approved;

b)            the projected revenue position for the year with £454k of budget efficiencies be noted; and

c)            the capital underspend of £13.530m as a result of either projects no longer proceeding or planned programme slippage be noted.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance and Contracts presented the report of the Executive Manager – Finance and Corporate Services outlining the budget position for revenue and capital at 30 September 2019 as part of the Financial Update for Quarter 2.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance and Contracts confirmed that the report had been considered by the Corporate Overview Group at its meeting on 19 November 2019 and it had forwarded no observations to Cabinet. Despite the challenging current financial climate, the overall financial position for the year remained positive, with an overall revenue efficiency position of £454k. The £454k variation represents 3.95% against the net expenditure budget. The financial position to date reflected a number of positive variances; including additional income from planning applications, treasury investment income and staffing efficiencies. In respect of Capital Monitoring, the updated summary of the Capital Programme monitoring statement and funding position highlighted a projected variance at this stage of £13.530m. This net expenditure efficiency position was primarily due to a number of savings; related to the Bingham Leisure Hub, the Abbey Road redevelopment, the crematorium, a Nottinghamshire Cricket Club loan and reduced Asset Investment Strategy spend. In respect of the Special Expenses Budget, there had been a slight increase in the revised budget and projected spend due to agreed allocations from contingency for park improvements and Christmas lights on Melton Road. That expenditure highlighted the Council’s commitment to the maintenance of thriving town centres. 

In seconding the recommendation, Councillor Upton welcomed the overall positive financial position for the Council and stated that it was in a good position for significant future capital spending projects.

Councillor Robinson referred to the additional income from planning applications and the associated increasing workload for Planning Services due to the number of large applications being submitted. He noted that this was likely to continue.

It is was RESOLVED that

a)            the Revenue and Capital Budget Monitoring 2019/20 – Financial Update Quarter 2 be approved;

b)            the projected revenue position for the year with £454k of budget efficiencies be noted; and

c)            the capital underspend of £13.530m as a result of either projects no longer proceeding or planned programme slippage be noted.

It was RESOLVED that under Regulation 21(1)(b) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2000, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

The report of the Chief Executive is attached.

It was RESOLVED that:

a)            service of the option notice to acquire the Stragglethorpe site be authorised, (as per agreement in the Cabinet report – November 2018), subject to appropriate due diligence;

b)            the Chief Executive be authorised to undertake a procurement exercise for the construction of a crematorium in accordance with the capital programme; and

c)            a further report on the proposed operating model for the crematorium be presented to Cabinet in Spring 2020.

The Portfolio Holder for Business and Transformation presented the report of the Chief Executive providing information on the proposed route to procurement and delivery of a new crematorium.

It was RESOLVED that:

a)            service of the option notice to acquire the Stragglethorpe site be authorised, as shown in Appendix A (as per agreement in the Cabinet report – November 2018), subject to appropriate due diligence;

b)            the Chief Executive be authorised to undertake a procurement exercise for the construction of a crematorium in accordance with the capital programme; and

c)            a further report on the proposed operating model for the crematorium be presented to Cabinet in Spring 2020.