Issue - meetings

Cabinet:

a)    Reviewed and noted the forecast 2020/2021 revenue position against the approved revenue budget shown in Appendix B, the projected major variances with reasons for these variances at Appendices C1 and C2 and the action being taken to address the underlying issues.

b)    Reviewed and noted the latest Capital Programme 2020/2021 position as shown in Appendix D.

The Cabinet received the Revenue and Capital Budget monitoring report

for 2020/2021. Councillor John Williams, Lead Cabinet Member for Finance, presented the report for the third quarter of the fiscal year, noting the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on certain schemes, and the proposed capital program. Councillor Peter McDonald, Lead Cabinet Member for Business Recovery, thanked the Officers for distributing he business discretionary grants to businesses across the district.

Councillor Heather Williams noted the deficit in the budget for the planning department, and a decrease in the projected expenditure as part of the Investment Strategy. Councillor John Williams responded that the planning department would be working to resolve the deficit and mentioned the loss of income was due to changes in payments from central Government.

The Joint Director the Planning Service mentioned the service operated at a net cost, and contingent on the number of applications, which had been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. In relation to the Investment strategy, Councillor John Williams also noted changes to the rules of the Public Works Loan Board (PWLB) but mentioned further investments are being considered through the existing partnerships.

Councillor Heather Williams asked about the Council borrowing from the PWLB. Councillor John Williams responded, noting the Council was borrowing from the PWLB to cover the Council’s cash flow, but not for previous commercial investments.

After a short discussion, Cabinet:

a)    Reviewed and noted the forecast 2020/2021 revenue position against the approved revenue budget shown in Appendix B, the projected major variances with reasons for these variances at Appendices C1 and C2 and the action being taken to address the underlying issues.

b)    Reviewed and noted the latest Capital Programme 2020/2021 position as shown in Appendix D.

Cabinet:

(a)       Acknowledged the forecast 2020/2021 revenue outturn position against the approved revenue budget shown in Appendix C, the projected major variances with reasons for these variances and the action being taken to address the underlying issues;

(b)       Acknowledged the latest Capital Programme 2020/2021 to 2024/2025 position [and variances, if any] as shown in Appendix D.

This decision was first published on 4 September and so the deadline for call-in is 11 September at 5pm.