The Senior Manager Corporate Finance presented a report that set out financial monitoring information for Environment as at the close of Quarter 3 of the 2018/19 financial year.  The report provided Members with the detail to scrutinise budget performance for this area of activity, the financial information provided including –

•  performance against the Revenue Budget (including savings, income and debt); and

•  performance against the Capital Budget.

In introducing the report, the Senior Manager Corporate Finance gave a presentation highlighting the ‘headlines’ related to the Environment budget; advising on the budget positions relating to budget headings for Environment; Housing and Planning; and Leisure and Recreation, including principal issues for budget variance; and providing detail on the 2018/19 capital programme. 

In response to a query concerning the reported non-achievement of savings and a shortfall in anticipated income in Waste and Environment and any implications these matters might have for the following year, the Senior Manager advised that the savings issue related to a shortfall on an old budget saving related to a negotiated contract, and that the income shortfall would be targeted through further promotion.

Confirmation was provided to Members that re-profiling of the capital programme did not result in schemes currently in the programme being dropped.  It would, however, mean that some would be rolled forward into the following year.  The process for determining the 2019/20 Capital Programme before its submission to Cabinet and Council for approval and adoption was considered, the Chair noting that a review of the process to include more opportunity for non-Cabinet Members to have an input was underway.  Councillor Ellis asked about progression of a particular scheme at West Kirby, the Officer undertaking to respond on this matter.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.