Agenda item

Report of the Director – Finance and Corporate Services

The Group were presented the Q4 Finance and Performance report for 2021/22, which outlines the Council’s position in terms of financial and performance monitoring.

It was noted that the statutory deadline for approval of the accounts had been extended and the publication of the draft Statement of Accounts had been prepared and published on 31 July 2022, with the approval of the audited statements due by 30 November 2022.

The Service Manager - Finance advised the Group of the financial monitoring in respect of the net revenue position which showed a transfer to reserves of £1.452m a significant net increase of £6.2m, adding that as reported throughout the year financial performance has been resilient in face of ongoing financial challenges, which had resulted in a surplus in the year due to in-year savings and service efficiencies. Details of the main variances were provided and noted by the Group.

The Service Manager Finance explained that service efficiencies and prudential budgeting for Covid losses had mitigated the overall impact and the improved outturn position enables the Council to continue to achieve its corporate objectives. It was noted that a number of transfers had been agreed by Cabinet with any surplus being transferred to the Organisation Stabilisation Reserve to support future financial pressures.

In respect of Capital monitoring the Service Manager - Finance reported that at the year-end the Capital Programme provision totalled £27.222m, the actual expenditure being £16.276m, giving rise to a variance of £10.946m, £10.710m of which is to be carried forward. It was noted that significant commitments had been made with regard to the Bingham Hub and Crematorium.

The Communications and Customer Services Manager delivered the Q4 Performance Monitoring Report giving reference to the Strategic Scorecard in the appendices provided with the report.

The Communications and Customer Services Manager highlighted the number of performance exceptions which is higher this year primarily due to the results of the residents’ satisfaction survey, and whilst the impact of the covid pandemic had a significant impact on the everyday life of our residents, we were able to maintain Council services.

It was noted that usage of leisure and community facilities was returning to pre-pandemic levels and whilst the year end targets were not met, it does provide positive signs that the next financial year will show an improvement.

The Communications and Customer Services Manager explained that the Corporate Strategy is a living document that is adapted to changing priorities, allowing the Council to take advantage of emerging opportunities and tasks are removed once completed.

The Group were advised that one strategic task had been completed and removed from monitoring:

ST1923_21 Support the Local Businesses and communities from the impact of Covid.

No new strategic tasks have been added to the reporting for this year.

Councillors asked specific questions in relation to the Council’s leisure provision and whether the opening of new non-Council run facilities posed a risk on the Arena and the Council’s current leisure provider.  The Financial Services Manager explained that there had been no real impact so far and that the privately run facilities were offering different provision and customer base. It was also noted that the rise in cost of living is more likely to have an impact in the future.

The Group questioned the reported satisfaction levels in respect of the cleanliness of parks and open space, slightly lower than target and whether the council just relies on residents’ perceptions. The Communications and Customer Services Manager explained that other sources for monitoring this area includes WISE, the Council’s enforcement contractor, social media and customer complaints.

It was RESOLVED that the Group noted:

a)    the 2021/22 revenue position and efficiencies identified in Table 1, the variances in Table 2 and the carry forwards and appropriations to reserves in Appendix E;

b)    the other changes to the earmarked reserves as set out at Appendix B;

c)     the re-profiled position on capital and the capital carry forwards outlined in Appendix C;

d)    the updates on the Special Expenses outturn at paragraph 4.12 and in Appendix D; and

e)    considers whether scrutiny is required for identified performance exceptions.