Issue - meetings

(a)       That having considered the Revenue Budget Monitoring 2021/22 (Month 9) report, the Committee confirms that there are no specific matters to be raised with Cabinet; and

(b)       That having considered the Capital Programme Monitoring 2021/22 (Month 9) report, the Committee confirms that there are no specific matters to be raised with Cabinet.

The Strategic Finance Managers presented reports on the revenue budget monitoring position at month 9 for the Council Fund and Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and the Capital Programme of 2021/22, prior to consideration by Cabinet.

Revenue Budget Monitoring

On the Council Fund, the projected year-end position was an operating surplus of £1.537m (excluding the impact of the pay award to be met from reserves) which reflected a favourable movement of £0.821m from month 8.  This would leave a year-end contingency reserve balance of £7.407m.  The variances from month 8 were detailed in the report including significant movements in the Housing & Assets and Planning, Environment & Economy portfolios.  The update on in-year risks included confirmation of an approved retrospective claim to Welsh Government (WG) for Storm Christoph residual costs.  On other tracked risks, the latest position on emergency funding and progress with Income Loss grant claims was reported.  The review of earmarked reserves had resulted in £0.585m being released back into contingency reserves and would continue to be monitored.

On the HRA, a projected overspend of £0.437m would leave a closing un-earmarked balance of £4.035m, which was well above the recommended guidelines on spend.

Councillor Richard Jones said that the significant variances detailed in the report did not reflect approved budget changes.  Officers explained that the variances were not affected by budgetary transfers between portfolios and that a breakdown of movements between portfolios for approved budgets could be provided, with explanations.

Councillor Haydn Bateman queried the earmarked reserves for Single Status/Equal Pay and was advised that following implementation, reserves had been set aside to deal with any legacy or general workforce costs.

Capital Programme

The summary position at month 9 showed a revised budget of £81.588m taking into account agreed carry-forward amounts, changes during the period and savings transferred back in.  The main changes had arisen from increases in grant funding as detailed in the report.  Capital expenditure compared to budget indicated a projected underspend of £1.206m on the Council Fund which would be recommended for carry forward to complete schemes in 2022/23.  No additional allocations were identified and a saving of £0.386m was reported on Disabled Facilities Grants.  The overall funding position at month 9 indicated a revised projected surplus in the Capital Programme of £4.904m which was an increase of £0.757k from the last quarter.  Indicative Provisional Local Government Settlement figures reflected an estimated funding increase of £0.786m over the approved three year period when compared with the Capital Programme approved in December, resulting in a deficit of £0.081m in next year’s Programme.  It was also confirmed that Flintshire would receive £3.1m of additional grant funding from WG to support the Capital Programme.

Councillor Richard Lloyd queried the rationale of the breakdown of areas shown in Table 6 on investment in county towns.  The Chief Executive explained that the areas had been previously changed and agreed by Members to report on levels of investment across broad geographical areas of the Council.

The recommendations were moved by Councillor Paul Shotton and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 83