To consider the Cabinet report.

The Panel  considered the latest Cabinet financial update report.

The Lead Member highlighted that £330,000 had been added to the Home to School Transport budget this year but significant pressures were expected and the anticipated overspend at this stage was predicted to be £220,000.

£153,000 was being committed to keep certain none profitable bus routes in operation..

The Panel were informed that Bisham School would soon become part of the Ashley Hill Multi-Academy Trust (MAT) which already ran two successful primary schools in the borough. It was appropriate for the borough to ensure the fabric of the school was in a fit state for the transfer and further maintenance costs. An agreement had been made with the MAT that £200,000 was needed to be earmarked for 2019/2020 and 2020/21.

Cllr Da Costa asked for an explanation on the Department for Transport’s programme for the £483k funding and was informed that this came from a Government grant but conformation would be sent to the Panel.

Cllr Da Costa also asked if the would be any funding towards pedestrian safety and was informed that this would be included in the rolling schedule of works.  The Lead Member also mentioned that if Cllrs were aware of any maintenance issues then they should bring them to the attention of Cabinet.

Cllr Burbage asked that if it was a rolling two years schedule of works why had the 2017/18 schedule not yet been approved. The Panel were informed that the 2017/18 schedule had been approved last year but annually the programme  of works was reviewed. 

Cllr L Evans requested that for recommendation III it says that the funding was for Forest Bridge School.

Cllr Burbage asked for clarification on the transition grant and was informed that this was a grant revived in 2016/17 and 2017/18, based on a percentage of Council tax, and was for adult social care. 

Cllr L Evans mentioned that Table 4 Capital slippage had slippage at zero, she questioned how well we were dealing with risk.  The Panel were informed that capital funding had changed this year.  Borrowing was used for capital projects and when a project was for a number of years only the funds required for the current year was shown and hence no slippage.  Unless there was a delay in a project no slippage would be shown. 

Cllr Da Costa questioned to funding for Bisham School and was informed that there had already been £80k approved so the additional funding was for two years of £200,000.  During negotiations with the MAT £400,000 of works were identified.  

Cllr Da Costa also asked for clarification on why the report mentioned projected variance from the approved estimate.  The Panel were informed that this was to show any variances from the approved budget.  Changes to the approved budget went via Cabinet and were listed in appendix C.

Cllr Da Costa mentioned that on page 11 under the revenue monitoring statement there were lines for the Environment Agency levy and Apprentice Levy.  The Panel were informed that the Apprentice Levy was a levy to Government going towards apprentice schemes.  The Environment Agency levy was the budget set when informed by the Environment Agency.

With regards to cash flow Cllr Da Costa asked what the spike in 2018 was.  The Panel were informed that this was LEP payments that went through our accounts.

Cllr Burbage asked for clarification on why we were putting additional funds into Bisham School.  The Panel were informed that this was subject to works required that would have been on the Schools Capital Programme.  The trust had undertaken an independent survey of the school to identify works that were required prior to the school joining the trust. 

Resolved unanimously:  that the Corporate Services O&S Panel considered the latest Cabinet Financial Update report and informed that with regards to recommendation v) it should read £200,000 not £200,00. The Panel recommended that with regards to recommendation iii) it would help if the recommendation mentioned that the additional budget was for the new Forest Bridge School.