Issue - meetings

Council  

Agreed          to

A)       Acknowledge the 2022/23 revenue outturn position and the net underspend in the year of £0.473 million, and the explanations provided for the variances compared to the revised 2022/23 revenue budget;

B)       Acknowledge the overall decrease in the Housing Revenue Account balance as at 31 March 2023 to £3.878 million;

C)       In relation to the Capital Programme:

(i) Note the 2022/23 capital outturn of £21.405 million;

(ii) Acknowledge the performance achieved in relation to the Capital Programme schemes substantially completed in 2022/2023, summarised in Appendix A.

(iii) Approve the carry forward amounts of £3.034 million to 2023/24 in relation to HRA housebuilding during 2022/23, due to slippage.

Councillor Heather Williams announced that the opposition group would support the recommendations in the report, as there was cross-party support for the building of council housing.

In response to questioning, Councillor John Williams stated that the Council had built 143 dwellings last year and of these 97 were social rented. The Council would continue to develop its housing stock and he thanked officers for identifying opportunities to build more housing, which was particularly challenging for the authority as it did not own much land.

Councillor Brian Milnes expressed his appreciation for the 132 affordable homes built in Babraham.

By affirmation

Council  

Agreed          to

A)       Acknowledge the 2022/23 revenue outturn position and the net underspend in the year of £0.473 million, and the explanations provided for the variances compared to the revised 2022/23 revenue budget;

B)       Acknowledge the overall decrease in the Housing Revenue Account balance as at 31 March 2023 to £3.878 million;

C)       In relation to the Capital Programme:

(i) Note the 2022/23 capital outturn of £21.405 million;

(ii) Acknowledge the performance achieved in relation to the Capital Programme schemes substantially completed in 2022/2023, summarised in Appendix A.

(iii) Approve the carry forward amounts of £3.034 million to 2023/24 in relation to HRA housebuilding during 2022/23, due to slippage.

Cabinet:

1.    acknowledged the 2022/23 revenue outturn position and the net underspend in the year of £0.343 million, and the explanations provided for the variances compared to the revised 2022/23 revenue budget,

2.    acknowledged the overall decrease in the Housing Revenue Account balance as at 31 March 2023 to £3.749 million, and

3.    in relation to the Capital Programme:

i.      noted the 2022/23 capital outturn of £21.405 million,

ii.    acknowledged the performance achieved in relation to the Capital Programme schemes substantially completed in 2022/2023, summarised in Appendix A to the report, and

iii.   approved the carry forward amounts of £3.034 million to 2023/24 in relation to HRA housebuilding during 2022/23, due to slippage.

This decision was published on 7 November and so the deadline for call-in is 8 November.

Cabinet:

1.    acknowledged the 2022/23 revenue outturn position and the net underspend in the year of £0.343 million, and the explanations provided for the variances compared to the revised 2022/23 revenue budget,

2.    acknowledged the overall decrease in the Housing Revenue Account balance as at 31 March 2023 to £3.749 million, and

3.    in relation to the Capital Programme:

i.      noted the 2022/23 capital outturn of £21.405 million,

ii.    acknowledged the performance achieved in relation to the Capital Programme schemes substantially completed in 2022/2023, summarised in Appendix A to the report, and

iii.   approved the carry forward amounts of £3.034 million to 2023/24 in relation to HRA housebuilding during 2022/23, due to slippage.

Councillor John Williams, Lead Cabinet Member for Finance, introduced the report and moved the recommendations. In so doing, Councillor John Williams advised that the Council was in an underspent revenue position.

The recommendations were seconded by Councillor John Batchelor. In so doing, Councillor John Batchelor noted that work around housing provision had slowed down, though it was emphasised that this had not vanished, but would be delivered later than planned.

In response to questions from non-Cabinet Members, the following points were raised:

·       Members noted the work undertaken and thanked officers for their efforts.

·       Comment was made that worked had either been delayed or paused on some developments. Further information on a delivery schedule could be provided outside of the meeting.

·       It was further noted that market pressures had impacted progress.

Resolution

Cabinet:

1.    acknowledged the 2022/23 revenue outturn position and the net underspend in the year of £0.343 million, and the explanations provided for the variances compared to the revised 2022/23 revenue budget,

2.    acknowledged the overall decrease in the Housing Revenue Account balance as at 31 March 2023 to £3.749 million, and

1.     

3.    in relation to the Capital Programme:

2.     

i.      noted the 2022/23 capital outturn of £21.405 million,

ii.     acknowledged the performance achieved in relation to the Capital Programme schemes substantially completed in 2022/2023, summarised in Appendix A to the report, and

3.     

iii.    approved the carry forward amounts of £3.034 million to 2023/24 in relation to HRA housebuilding during 2022/23, due to slippage.

Options Considered

Other options involved not agreeing some or all of the carry forward amounts but this could lead to delays and unfinished works.

Reasons for Decision

To advise the Cabinet of the 2022/23 revenue and capital outturn, the impact that this would have on the Housing Revenue Account and to consider the necessary amendments to the Capital Programme. To note that a further review of the Capital Programme would be presented to Cabinet at its meeting on 5 December 2023.