Issue - meetings

To receive details of the Council’s projected financial performance for 2022/23.

Executive Councillor: B Mickelburgh.

The Cabinet has

a)  considered and commented upon the financial performance to the end of September 2022, as detailed in Appendix 1 and summarised in paragraph 3.2 of the report now submitted; and

b)  considered and commented on the capital financial performance at the end of September 2022, as detailed in Appendix 1 and summarised in paragraph 3.3 of the report now submitted.

A report by the Director of Finance and Corporate Resources was submitted (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) presenting details of the Council’s projected financial performance for 2022/23.

Following an introduction from the Director of Finance and Corporate Resources, it was reported that the forecast outturn at the end of quarter 2 was £21.933m which reflected a forecast overspend of £418,000 which had increased from £275,000 in quarter 1. Cabinet Members noted that this was attributed to reduction in income from Parking, One Leisure and Markets, increased staff costs in Development Management and One Leisure services and increased operational costs in One Leisure, ICT and Housing Benefits. These costs had been offset by a number of underspends in various service areas which included Waste Management, Corporate Finance, Elections and Democratic Services, Document Centre, Licensing, Parks and Planning Policy.

In respect of the capital forecast, the forecast outturn was reported to be £11.035m against a total gross budget of £41.899m reflecting an underspend of £30.864m. In her concluding remarks, the Director of Finance and Corporate Resources reported that Council Tax and Business collection rates were regularly monitored and that performance levels had improved when compared to the previous year.

The Executive Councillor for Finance and Resources then went on to report upon the views of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Performance & Growth), drawing particular attention to the comments which had been made in respect of One Leisure. Further information had been sought around the plans to increase fees and charges across the One Leisure Service which was currently being pursued by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel. Whereupon, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

a)  to consider and comment on the financial performance to the end of September 2022, as detailed in Appendix 1 and summarised in paragraph 3.2 of the report now submitted; and

b)  to also consider and comment on the capital financial performance at the end of September 2022, as detailed in Appendix 1 and summarised in paragraph 3.3 of the report now submitted.

The Panel is to receive the Finance Performance Report 2022/23 Quarter 2.

By means of a report by the Director of Finance and Corporate Resources (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book), the Finance Performance Report 2022/23 Quarter 2 was presented to the Panel.

Following questions from Councillors Pickering and Gray relating to the drop in parking revenues and whether that trend was expected to continue, the Panel were advised that this was linked to the delay in the Civil Parking Enforcement Act but that further detail would be sought and communicated to the Panel.

Councillor Gray observed that the figures relating to One Leisure were concerning and questioned the Executive Councillor on his confidence in the recently approved plan to increase fees and charges across the leisure centres. The Panel were advised that One Leisure had been heavily affected by the increase in energy costs and the recent rise in minimum wage, but that significant debate had been had surrounding the increase to fees and charges. Councillor Gray reflected that this report had been published after the decision on fees and charges had been taken and thereby queried how the Cabinet had been able to make the decision without the supporting information. The Panel were assured that by applying the proposed fees and charges to the available Quarter One figures, the Cabinet had been able to forecast the impact this would have. The Panel were further assured that the figures would continue to be monitored so that further action could be taken to remedy lost revenue and footfall through commercial strategies or alternative pricing structures in the future.

Following a question from Councillor Blackwell relating to the reduction in Court Fees linked to Housing Benefit, the Panel were advised that the Officer would investigate the detail on the subject and communicate that back to the Panel.

Following the discussion, the Panel observed that they were generally in support of the recommendations being endorsed but requested that the Executive Councillor for Leisure attend a future meeting of the Panel to help answer questions on the financial details behind the decision to raise One Leisure fees and charges. It was thereupon

RESOLVED

that Cabinet be encouraged to endorse the recommendations within the report.