Issue - meetings

The Sub-Committee received a report of the Interim Director of Finance, which had previously been considered by Cabinet on 17 June 2015.  The report showed the Outturn position for the year ending 31 March 2015.

Following an overview of the report by the Interim Director of Finance, Members asked the following questions and received responses:

Q –      When slippage fell into another financial year, was there an understanding of the effect on the delivery of service?

A –      In the report on the first quarter to Cabinet in September 2015, the report would include capital slippage and the revenue implications thereon.

Q –      Was the slippage capable of being used during the current year and was it possible to differentiate between genuine slippage and what is not spent?

A –      The majority of the slippage related to the schools programme which should be completed in the current year.  It was normal practice to refresh the capital programme to include what was agreed plus any changes.  Whilst a lot of work had been undertaken on revenue and capital, there was still work to be done on capital.  There was a need to be as accurate as possible in Quarter 1 with a narrative and to be consistent during the year.

Q –      What were the reasons for the position with regard to Capita being appreciably different compared to the previous year?.

A –      Provision had been made for the new contractors and the figures reflected the natural slowdown of spend as the contract ended.  Payments to the contractor were not being released until approved by a senior officer.

Q –      Reference was made to an overspend of £1.271m mainly due to increased demand for bed and breakfast accommodation.  Why was 75% of the planned funding for the purchase of accommodation not being spent until the next financial year.  Was there sufficient funding for the scheme and would it drive up rents?

A –      Phasing over two years had been forecast taking into account an estimate of how quickly suitable properties could be procured.  The up to date position on the homelessness pressure would be presented to Cabinet in September as part of the Quarter 1 Budget Monitoring report.  The new scheme would be subject to review and could be exited if not as successful as envisaged.  The  Chair suggested  monitoring the scheme at a scrutiny leaders meeting in about 6 months.

Q –      What were the works to Harrow on the Hill station referred to in Appendix 3?

A –      This referred to feasibility studies for access works, with substantial funding from TfL.

Q –      Page 34 stated that HB Public Law had delivered a contribution of £105k of which £102k had been moved to the Legal Expansion Reserve.  The narrative stated that the contribution figure was £70k of which £67k was transferred to the expansion reserve.

A –      The officer undertook to circulate the response to the Sub-Committee.

RESOLVED:  That the report be noted.