Issue - decisions

Matter for Decision

The report presented a summary of the 2012/13 outturn position (actual income and expenditure) for services within the Housing portfolio, compared to the final budget for the year. The position for revenue and capital was reported and variances from budgets were highlighted, together with explanations. Requests to carry forward funding arising from certain budget underspends into 2013/14 were identified. It was noted that outturn reports being presented in this Committee cycle reflect the reporting structures in place prior to the recent changes in Executive portfolios. In light of those changes (together with the requirement to report outturn on the basis of portfolios in place during 2012/13) members of this committee are asked to consider the proposals to carry forward budgets and make their views known to The Leader, for consideration at Strategy & Resources Scrutiny Committee prior to his recommendations to Council.

Decision of Executive Councillor for Housing

The Executive Councillor resolved to:

Note the views of the Scrutiny Committee regarding the following proposals, and resolved to make their views known to The Leader, for consideration at Strategy and Resources Scrutiny Committee prior to his recommendations to Council:

(i)   To agree carry forward requests, totalling £241,330 as detailed in Appendix C of the officer’s report, are to be recommended to Council for approval.

(ii)  To seek approval from Council to rephase spending of £48,000 in respect of energy efficiency improvements in the private sector into 2013/14, and to recognise the re-phasing required to finance £16,000 of expenditure in respect of the property accreditation scheme earlier than anticipated in 2012/13, therefore reducing the resource available in 2013/14, as detailed in Appendix D of the officers report.

(iii)                    To seek approval from Council to rephase general fund housing capital expenditure of £151,000 from 2012/13 into 2013/14, in respect of the balance of investment required to create the Assessment Centre on East Road, as detailed in Appendices D and E of the officer’s report.

(iv)                   To seek approval from Council to carry forward net capital resources to fund rephased capital spending of £9,586,000 from 2012/13, deferring £8,165,000 into 2013/14, £700,000 into 2014/15, £517,000 into 2015/16 and £204,000 into 2028/29, in relation to investment in the Housing Revenue Account, as part of the Housing Capital Investment Plan, as detailed in Appendices D and E of the officers report and the associated notes. As part of this, also recognising a delay to 2013/14, of the anticipated £1,500,000 capital receipt for the land on which the market housing is being delivered on the Seymour Court site.

(v) To note the resulting need to defer the use of £3,085,000 of revenue funding of capital expenditure into 2013/14, as considered at Housing Management Board.

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 Business Manager/Principal Accountant.

No views were expressed on the proposals.

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

No conflicts of interest were declared by the Executive Councillor.