Issue - meetings

Report to follow.

Matter for Decision

 

The report detailed the budget proposals relating to the City Centre and Public Places portfolio that are included in the Budget-Setting Report (BSR) 2015/16.

 

Decision of Executive Councillor for City Centre and Public Places

 

The Executive Councillor is resolved to:

 

Review of Charges:

 

     i.        Approve the proposed charges for this portfolio’s services and facilities, as shown in Appendix A of the Officer’s report.

Revenue:

    ii.        Noted the revenue budget proposals as shown in Appendix B of the Officer’s report.

Capital:

   iii.        Noted the capital budget proposals as shown in Appendix C of the Officer’s report.

  iv.        Delete some schemes from the Capital Plan as shown in Appendix C of the Officer’s report.

   v.        Adjust capital funding for items 2 (c) to 2 (e) of the Officer’s report, as appropriate.

 

Reason for the Decision

 

As set out in the Officer’s report.

 

Any Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

 

Not applicable.

 

Scrutiny Considerations

 

The Committee received a report from the Principal Accountant (Services). He highlighted the following errors in the report: items C2723 Corn Exchange Heating and C3724 King Hedges Learner Pool, had been included in this portfolio in error. The Chair rejected a suggestion that both Portfolios reported on the agenda, be discussed together.

 

In response to Members’ questions the Asset Manager (Streets and Open Spaces, stated the following:

     i.        The riverside moorings budget had been overachieving with income better than expected. There was therefore no need to increase fees at this point.

    ii.        Fees would be reviewed in the next year when there was a clearer picture of the number of moorings and the impact of Riverside.

 

In response to Members’ questions the Project Delivery & Environment Manager confirmed that the Prison of War Memorial Plaque project was at an early stage of development. The committee was invited to comment on the budget only at this stage. Full consultations would follow regarding the design and the location.

 

The Director of Environment added clarity to the increased charges proposed for the Bereavement Services. He stated that a substantial investment in the services was required and the increased fees were within a 5% range. Charges for Band 1 services had been keep as low as possible. The Director of Environment undertook to provide the required information to Members of the Committee in a briefing note.

 

Councillor Reiner asked for more details on the Market Charges and questioned why an admin fee had been introduced. The Director of Environment undertook to provide the required information to Members of the Committee in a briefing note.

 

In response to Members’ questions the Principal Accountant added clarity to the new reporting methods for the Budget Report. He explained that an additional heading of, ‘Projects under Development’, had been added to allow a full business case to be agreed before items were added to the Capital Plan. This would allow projects to be fully explored before they were allocated a budget.

 

The Committee resolved by 5 votes to 3 to endorse the recommendation.

 

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendation.

 

Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Executive Councillor (and any Dispensations Granted)

 

No conflicts of interest were declared by the Executive Councillor.