Issue - meetings

Cabinet Member: Finance

Forward Plan Ref: 2014/150

Contact: Kathy Wilcox, Chief Accountant Tel: (01865) 323981

Report by Chief Finance Officer (CA6).

This report focuses on the delivery of the Directorate Business Strategies that were agreed as part of the Service and Resource Planning Process for 2014/15 – 2017/18.  Parts 1 and 2 include projections for revenue, reserves and balances as at the end of December 2014.   Capital Programme monitoring is included at Part 3 and changes to Fees and Charges are set out in Part 4.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:

(a)   Note the report and annexes including the Treasury Management lending list at Annex 4 and changes set out in paragraphs 66 - 67;

(b)   Approve the virements request set out in Annex 2a;

(c)   Approve the write off of client income totalling £31,638 relating to unpaid client contributions for residential care as set out in paragraph 64 and the write of £50,002 relating to capital works at a school as set out in paragraph 65;

(d)   Approve the creation of the Oxford Western Conveyance Reserve and the initial contribution of £0.350m as set out in paragraph 76;

(e)   Approve the fees for hiring the Riverside Centre as set out in paragraph 93 and Annex 7;

(f)    Approve the release of the revised capital budgets of £4.100m Cuttleslowe roundabout and £4.824m Wolvercote roundabout  to proceed to detailed design and procurement as set out in paragraph 89;

(g)   Approve the entry of the A44 – A40 Loop Farm Link Road into the capital programme and the release of a £0.676m project development budget as set out in paragraph 90;

(h)   Approve the changes to the Capital Programme set out in Annex 8c.

Recommendations agreed.

Cabinet considered a report that focused on the delivery of the Directorate Business Strategies that were agreed as part of the Service and Resource Planning Process for 2014/15 – 2017/18. Parts 1 and 2 include projections for revenue, reserves and balances as at the end of December 2014. Capital Programme monitoring is included at Part 3 and changes to Fees and Charges are set out in Part 4.

Councillor Hards, Shadow Cabinet Member for Finance, highlighted a number of areas of concern and in particular the over spend in the area of Children, Education & Families. He highlighted the cost of taking children into care and recognised the work being done to attract foster parents. He queried whether the Council was satisfied that it had the money right to find these people as the long term benefits were enormous. Whilst welcoming the improving trend in Adult Social Care he questioned whether it was a sustainable improvement. He highlighted the uncertainties created by the Care Act and referred to a recent press report. He noted the review being carried out with regard to home to school transport where it was hoped savings could be delivered and asked how far this review had got.

Councillor Stratford replied that the transport review was ongoing and would be looking to make the most efficient use of taxis and other transport. Overall he was optimistic that the final outcome would be close to budget. Cabinet Members responded to the points made.

Councillor Stratford introduced the contents of the report and moved the recommendations. He paid tribute to officers in all directorates for their work which meant that the Council was looking at a good end of year position.

During discussion Cabinet welcomed the capital schemes referred to in the report.

RESOLVED: to:

(a)    note the report and annexes including the Treasury Management lending list at Annex 4 and changes set out in paragraphs 66 - 67;

(b)    approve the virements request set out in Annex 2a;

(c)    approve the write off of client income totalling £31,638 relating to unpaid client contributions for residential care as set out in paragraph 64 and the write of £50,002 relating to capital works at a school as set out in paragraph 65;

(d)    approve the creation of the Oxford Western Conveyance Reserve and the initial contribution of £0.350m as set out in paragraph 76;

(e)    approve the fees for hiring the Riverside Centre as set out in paragraph 93 and Annex 7;

(f)      approve the release of the revised capital budgets of £4.100m Cuttleslowe roundabout and £4.824m Wolvercote roundabout to proceed to detailed design and procurement as set out in paragraph 89;

(g)    approve the entry of the A44 – A40 Loop Farm Link Road into the capital programme and the release of a £0.676m project development budget as set out in paragraph 90;

(h)    approve the changes to the Capital Programme set out in Annex 8c.