Agenda item

DECISION

1.    The quarterly monitoring information for Q1 2021/22 be noted.

2.    The approach to risk management for 2021/22 be agreed.

3.    The specific Finance Recommendations set out in the report be approved as follows:

·         F1 - Reserve movements as detailed in Table 5

·         F2 - Updated capital programme as detailed in Table 7

·         F3 - Supplementary estimates in respect of Rough Sleeper Initiative and Verify Earnings & Pension, as set out in Table 9

·         F4 - Supplementary estimates in respect of COVID-19, as set out in Table 10

·         F5 - procurement exemptions in respect of the Rough Sleepers Initiative and the Arts Project for the Boston Town Heritage Project funding

4.      The recommendation in F3 to increase Bulky Waste collection prices above those approved in the Budget be deferred to the next meeting.

Portfolio Holders and Officer

PS/JN

SR/CM

REASON FOR DECISION

Cabinet considered the Quarter 1 Report, which set out performance, projects, risk and finance monitoring information for the period April to June 2021.

The Leader referred to the new format in which the information was presented following agreement of an updated performance management framework across the Strategic Alliance to support joint delivery of services.  Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) had also been agreed through the service planning process to capture performance against the Council’s Corporate Strategy and East Lindsey District Council’s Strategic Aims.

Where new measures had been introduced, the initial targets had been set without the benefit of past data; however, it would be possible to review and refine targets where appropriate in Quarter 2.

The report also contained an update on the progress of key projects across the Alliance as at the end of Quarter 1.  An updated project management framework had been agreed across the Alliance, including monthly reporting to the corporate management team and quarterly reporting to the Council’s Cabinet and East Lindsey’s Executive Board.

The next area for review was the risk management framework to provide a consistent approach across the authorities, which would be brought together for reporting in Quarter 2.

A Member commented that although more specific details were reported to the relevant Portfolio Holders, that information remained available to the public.  The Leader added that, quite rightly, the report gave more detail of Boston’s Town Deal and other major projects and covered high-level strategic performance.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance presented the finance information for Quarter 1, as set out in Appendix C, and asked Cabinet to approve the specific recommendations contained within it, as follows. 

F1 – Table 5 showed the level of earmarked reserves held at the beginning of the year, movements in the year, and the projected position at 31 March 2022 and approval was sought for the reserve movements.

F2 – Table 7 showed the approved capital programme for 2021/22, as reported to Full Council on 1 March 2021, subsequent slippage from 2020/21, as presented in the outturn report in June 2021, plus other known in-year changes, together with actual spend to the end of Quarter 1.  Approval was sought for the updated capital programme.

F3 – Table 9 showed supplementary estimates, instances where the Council had received additional income within the quarter, notified since the formal budget was set and its use was for a specific purpose.  Approval was sought for supplementary estimates in respect of the Rough Sleeper Initiative and Verify Earnings & Pension.

F3 also sought approval of increases in Bulky Waste collection prices above those approved in the Budget.  The prices had not been increased at the time the Budget was set due to COVID-19 pressures. 

F4 – Approval was sought for the supplementary estimates set out in Table 10 in respect of funding allocated by the Department for Communities and Local Government to support additional costs arising from the pandemic. 

F5 – Approval was sought for procurement exemptions in respect of the Rough Sleepers Initiative and the Arts Project for the Boston Town Heritage Project funding.

In response to a question, the Portfolio Holder reported that the in-year change to the capital programme of £170,000, which related to a replacement refuse vehicle, was due to the receipt of additional budget.

A Member referred to the total amount of the outstanding sundry debts owed to the Council, as set out in Table 8, which seemed substantial.

Members queried the recommendation to approve increases in Bulky Waste collection prices, as this had not been discussed or agreed, and contradicted a proposal to conduct a free trial of this service.  Members then agreed to defer this recommendation to the next meeting for further information and discussion.  

OTHER OPTIONS OR ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

Alternative reporting arrangements.

RECORD OF ANY CONFLICT OF INTEREST

None.

RECORD OF ANY DISPENSATION GRANTED

None.