The Director of Regeneration and Place introduced his report which set out the financial monitoring information for the Economy Regeneration & Housing Committee as at Quarter One (30 June) of 2023/24. The report provided Members with an overview of budget performance, including progress on the delivery of the 2023/24 saving programme and a summary of reserves and balances, to enable the Committee to take ownership of the budgets and provide robust challenge and scrutiny to Officers on the performance of those budgets.

Members asked for further information on the Office Quarter Building Fit costs of an additional £4 million, the likely start of demolition works at the House of Fraser site in Birkenhead and information on a previous request for information regarding the RIBA Stage 3 draft report for Birkenhead Market. The Director of Regeneration and Place noted that the building fit costs were not an unknown additional cost but had not previously been reported to the committee, the building had been received by the Council and now needed to be refurbished to its requirements. He noted that while he could not give a specific date, the demolition of the House of Fraser building was due to start imminently. He offered to return to Members with the information requested on the RIBA Stage 3 report on Birkenhead Market.

Resolved – That

1.  The adverse revenue forecast of £0.5m as at Quarter 1 be noted;

2.  The progress on delivery of the 2023-24 savings programme at Quarter 1 be noted;

3.  The level of reserves at Quarter 1 be noted; and

4.  The revised capital programme of £39.462m for 2023-24 be noted.