Agenda item

2.1.           Cabinet noted the provisional outturn for the general fund and HRA for the financial year 2018/19 as set out at Appendix 1 and Appendix 5.

2.2            Cabinet approved the proposed revenue budget carry forwards detailed in Appendix 2.

2.3            Cabinet approved the use of and contributions to general fund revenue earmarked reserves as shown in Appendix 3.

2.4            Cabinet approved the net movement in HRA reserves and working balances as set out at Appendix 6.

2.5            Cabinet noted the outturn for the Council’s general fund and HRA capital programmes for 2018/19 and how the expenditure was financed as set out at Appendix 4 and Appendix 7.

2.6            Cabinet approved the proposed capital carry forwards into 2019/20 set out in Appendix 4 and Appendix 7.

2.7            Cabinet delegated authority to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Chief Finance Officer to agree any retention of underspends by NPH.

Councillor Eldred as the relevant Cabinet Member submitted a report.  There had been a General Fund overspend of £732,000.  This was considerably better than the position a few months ago, reflecting the hard work by staff to reduce the overspend and obtain grants where possible.  Reserves were available to cover the overspend and would be used wisely. There had been a major overspend on temporary accommodation for homelessness last year, for which the budget had been enhanced this year. 

Councillor Stone questioned how NBC was managing the issue of being sued in respect of pension contributions.  The Borough Secretary pointed out that at the end of the Enterprise contract there had, unusually, been excess money in the LGPS pension fund.  Enterprise were suing NCC as the fund administrator (not NBC) for the surplus of £6.5 million.  This was being robustly defended by the Councils involved and the Borough Secretary stated that as there were live proceedings in place he did not want to go into too much detail on the case but he would be happy to brief members on this issue.

Councillor Stone expressed concern at service underspends reflecting staff vacancies because of the knock-on effect on quality of work and efficiency.  It was pointed out that the recent loss of a Head of Service was being covered by recruitment of other staff and positions were currently being advertised.

RESOLVED:

2.1.           Cabinet noted the provisional outturn for the general fund and HRA for the financial year 2018/19 as set out at Appendix 1 and Appendix 5.

2.2            Cabinet approved the proposed revenue budget carry forwards detailed in Appendix 2.

2.3            Cabinet approved the use of and contributions to general fund revenue earmarked reserves as shown in Appendix 3.

2.4            Cabinet approved the net movement in HRA reserves and working balances as set out at Appendix 6.

2.5            Cabinet noted the outturn for the Council’s general fund and HRA capital programmes for 2018/19 and how the expenditure was financed as set out at Appendix 4 and Appendix 7.

2.6            Cabinet approved the proposed capital carry forwards into 2019/20 set out in Appendix 4 and Appendix 7.

2.7            Cabinet delegated authority to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Chief Finance Officer to agree any retention of underspends by NPH.