Decision details

To consider the second quarter revenue and capital monitoring forecast and to consider any specific recommendations on the application of resources in-year, including movements to and from reserves, as required by Financial Procedure Rules.

1)    That, in regards to the General Fund (i) the 2020/2021 forecast revenue overspend of £5.5m as at Quarter 2 be noted (ii) it be noted that the 2020/2021 forecast £7.6m High Needs overspend which, as per current DfE guidance, will roll forward into 2021/22 on the Council balance sheet as a negative reserve (iii) it be noted that, in conjunction with the assumed continued support of central Government to adequately compensate the Council for Covid 19 pressures, the  Executive Team shall continue to identify opportunities for spending plans to be collectively brought back in line within the Council’s overall budget by year end and (iv) the forecast year-end position on corporate reserves and balances be noted.

2)    That the forecast position on the Collection Fund as at Quarter 2 be noted.

3)    That the Quarter 2 forecast Housing Revenue Account position, and the forecast year-end reserves position, be noted.

4)    That, in regards to the Capital Budget (i) the Quarter 2 forecast capital monitoring position for 2020/2021 be noted (ii) approval be given to the re-profiling across years of the capital plan , as detailed within the report and at Appendix 6 (iii) approval be given to the £255k capital proposal to increase burial capacity by way of a further extension at Batley Cemetery, as detailed within the report and at Appendix 7 (iv) approval be given to a £502k gym/spin studio development scheme at Batley Sports and Tennis Centre, as detailed within the report and at Appendix 8 (v) approval be given to capital works at Batley Baths and Recreation Centre at £50k, as detailed within the report (vi) approval be given to further capital remedial works of £300k at Huddersfield Leisure Centre, as detailed within the report (vii) approval be given to £463k to cover part of the Pioneer House overspend, with the remainder to be covered by future slippage to be identified within the plan, in agreement with the Chief Finance Officer (viii) approval be given to the release of funding from the Huddersfield Town Centres Action Plan for Huddersfield Town Hall and the release of Sustainability of Major Town Halls – Service Development Capital Programme line funding for Cleckheaton Town Hall for external lighting systems, as detailed within the report and (ix) approval be given to the replacement of the Council’s current fleet vans with fully electric equivalent vehicles, as part of the Climate Emergency Green Travel Measures, as detailed within the report and at Appendix 9.