Issue - meetings

That the Committee:

(a)       Supports the allocations and schemes in Table 3 (paragraph 1.09) for the Statutory/Regulatory and Retained Assets sections of the Council Fund Capital Programme 2022/23-2024/25; noting that officers will review potential changes between allocations in the Retained Assets and the Regulatory sections as requested;

(b)       Supports the schemes included in Table 4 (paragraph 1.29) for the Investment section of the Council Fund Capital Programme 2022/23-2024/25;

(c)       Notes that the shortfall in funding of schemes in 2022/23, 2023/24 and 2024/25 in Table 5 (paragraph 1.38) at this point in the approval process allows flexibility.  Options including a combination of future capital receipts, alternative grants (if available), prudential borrowing or the re-phasing of schemes will be considered during 2022/23, and included in future Capital Programme reports;

(d)       Supports the schemes included in Table 6 (paragraph 1.44) for the specifically funded section of the Council Fund Capital Programme which will be funded in part through borrowing; and

(e)       That the Committee confirms that it has no comments for Cabinet to consider before the Capital Programme 2022/23-2024/25 report is considered by Council.

The Corporate Finance Manager presented a report on the proposed Capital Programme 2022/23 - 2024/25 which set out investment in assets for the long term to enable the delivery of high quality and value for money public services split between three sections: Statutory/Regulatory, Retained Assets and Investment.

A detailed presentation covered the following:

·         Structure - Council Fund Capital Programme

·         Current Programme 2021/22 - 2023/24

·         Projected Funding 2022/23 - 2024/25

·         Proposed allocations - Statutory/Regulatory, Retained Assets and Investment

·         Summary generally funded Programme

·         Specifically funded schemes

·         Summary Capital Programme

·         Potential future schemes

·         Next steps

As requested by Councillor Paul Shotton, the Chief Executive and Chief Officer (Governance) shared information on proposed improvements to the Council’s ICT systems and equipment.

Councillor Paul Johnson thanked Finance officers for the detailed report in recognition of the level of work involved.

Councillor Ian Roberts welcomed the investment in school buildings across Flintshire, some of which would be carbon neutral, and reinforced the Council’s commitment to maintaining provision across a range of public services.

Councillor Richard Jones queried whether school buildings works such as upgrading ventilation systems, health and safety issues and gas safety fire inspections should be categorised as Statutory/Regulatory rather than Retained Assets.  The Strategic Finance Manager agreed to review those items.

The recommendations, which were amended to reflect the debate, were moved and seconded by Councillors Richard Jones and Paul Shotton.

RESOLVED:

That the Committee:

(a)       Supports the allocations and schemes in Table 3 (paragraph 1.09) for the Statutory/Regulatory and Retained Assets sections of the Council Fund Capital Programme 2022/23-2024/25; noting that officers will review potential changes between allocations in the Retained Assets and the Regulatory sections as requested;

(b)       Supports the schemes included in Table 4 (paragraph 1.29) for the Investment section of the Council Fund Capital Programme 2022/23-2024/25;

(c)       Notes that the shortfall in funding of schemes in 2022/23, 2023/24 and 2024/25 in Table 5 (paragraph 1.38) at this point in the approval process allows flexibility.  Options including a combination of future capital receipts, alternative grants (if available), prudential borrowing or the re-phasing of schemes will be considered during 2022/23, and included in future Capital Programme reports;

(d)       Supports the schemes included in Table 6 (paragraph 1.44) for the specifically funded section of the Council Fund Capital Programme which will be funded in part through borrowing; and

(e)       That the Committee confirms that it has no comments for Cabinet to consider before the Capital Programme 2022/23-2024/25 report is considered by Council.