Agenda item

Report number: PAS/WS/23/024

The Cabinet Member for Resources presented report number PAS/WS/23/024, which set out the quarter two performance and the

forecast 2023 to 2024 revenue and capital position for the period April 2023 to September 2023. 

Attached to the report were a number of appendices as follows: 

-      Appendix A: Key Performance Indicator Dashboards

-      Appendix B: Income and expenditure report

-      Appendix C: Capital programme

-      Appendix D: Earmarked reserves

-      Appendix E: Strategic risk register

-      Exempt Appendix F: Aged debt over 90 days

The report included updates under the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) on the cost of living; strategic housing; water consumption; fuel usage; waste and footfall monitoring.

The Cabinet Member for Resources then presented the financial element of the report and explained from a financial perspective the forecast year-end outturn as at quarter two showed a small overall deficit position of £37,000.  This deficit included the release of the planned general fund budget of £0.8m.  The general fund remained at the £5m policy level and officers were continuing to review the position as the year progresses in order to maintain the general fund at the stated policy level.

There were a number of variances to the budget, many of which had been reported to the Committee at its July 2023 meeting, including the impact of the agreed pay award; improved business rate income expectations; ongoing inflationary pressures, such as utility costs and an improving forecast for car parking and trade waste income. 

The Committee considered the report in detail and asked a number of questions to which responses were provided.  In particular discussions were held on external borrowing; the Council’s General Fund balance; the number of KPI’s being reported and whether these should be reduced to more manageable levels; and a future presentation to all councillors on the significant changes being made to recycling/waste in light of the Government’s “Simpler Recycling” initiative.

Detailed discussions were also held on why footfall was monitored in Newmarket and Bury St Edmunds and not in other towns across West Suffolk. It was explained that monitoring was carried out in these towns by the Business Improvement Districts and the data passed to the council at no cost. It was agreed that care was needed in making comparisons between the town centres which were very different. The Committee further suggested it would be useful to make a comparison of town centre footfall in response to the growth of retail parks.

In response to a question raised on the cancellation of the Western Way Development and what the saving was to residents, the Cabinet Member for Resources agreed to provide a written response.

In response to a question raised on the KPI on why the use of red diesel had not reduced more significantly considering the rules around the eligibility of its usage had changed in April 2022, the Cabinet Member for Resources agreed to provide a written response. 

In response to a question raised on how much planning appeals were costing the Council, it was agreed this could be included as a new KPI and noted the Office of Local Government (Oflog) was also looking into data around planning appeals.

In response to a question raised on the KPI for Universal Credit the Committee suggested it would be helpful for members to have the information available for each town.  Officers agreed to look into this further as to whether the information could be broken down by town.

In response to a question raised on the KPI for the number of car parking events, the Committee suggested it would be helpful for members to have the information broken down by town.  Officers confirmed the information was available and would look to include this in future reporting.

The Committee considered Appendix E, the strategic risk register  and felt there were too many red risk/high impact areas and insufficient evidence/suggested actions provided.  In response officers agreed to look at reviewing the risk register.

The Committee did not raise any issues in relation to Exempt Appendix F, and therefore did not go into private session.

At the conclusion of the discussions, the Committee noted the forecast 2023 to 2024 revenue and capital positions as detailed in Report number PAS/WS/23/024 and attached appendices and KPIs subject to the above comments.