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Regeneration - January 2010 - Report

MAIDSTONE BOROUGH COUNCIL

 

CABINET MEMBER FOR REGENERATION

 

REPORT OF HEAD OF FINANCE

 

Report prepared  by Paul Riley

Date Issued: _____________

 

 

 

1.           ESTIMATES 2010/11

 

1.1        Issue for Decision

 

1.1.1 This report presents the Revenue and Capital estimates for 2010/11 along with the revised estimates for the current financial year.  The revenue estimates have been prepared on the basis of the latest instructions from the Cabinet, including agreed savings and growth           options.

1.2        Recommendation of Head of Finance

1.2.1   That the Cabinet Member for Regeneration approves the revised revenue estimates for 2009/10 and the provisional revenue estimates for 2010/11 as contained in APPENDICES A, B and C.

1.2.2   That the Cabinet Member for Regeneration approves the Capital Programme as detailed in APPENDIX D.

1.3        Reasons for Recommendation

1.3.1 At the July meeting, Cabinet considered the initial projection for 2010/11 onwards and agreed the following:

a)        That the current Medium Term Financial Strategy as set out    in Appendix B of the report of Management Team be noted and that it be updated in line with best practice to integrate               service and financial planning for the next 3 year planning       period.

b)        That the levels of council tax set out in Appendix F of the       report of Management Team be used for budget planning     purposes but the final council tax level will be set as low as possible.

c)        That the “most likely” scenario set out in Appendix F(ii) of      the report of Management Team forms the basis of the    need to identify savings of £1.4m in 2010/11 and that                officers work with Cabinet Members to present proposals for     savings at the December Cabinet Meeting.


d)        That the current Capital Programme be noted.

e)        That the use of public consultation to inform the budget         strategy be supported and that officers bring a report setting out the most effective consultation methods of the            next Cabinet meeting.

f)         That the timetable for the 2010/11 Budget Strategy, as set    out below (in the July 2009 report), be approved.

1.3.2   The initial financial projection was selected by Cabinet as the most likely of three scenarios.  The key assumptions from that scenario were:

 

a)              An overall inflation rate of 2.5% per annum over the period.

 

b)              Anticipated grant based on the indicative figures provided by Government in 2007.  This allowed for a 0.5% cash increase in the grant received over the level received in 2009/10 followed by 0% increases in future years.

 

c)              Additional resources for the completion of the new recycling contracts and for resolution of other budget pressures following changes to disposal arrangements.

 

d)              A continuation of the annual increase in the national concessionary fares scheme, based on previous trends in take up of the scheme.

 

e)              The use of all available capital receipts to fund the capital programme, reducing the level of investment income.  The investment income is also affected by the rate of interest on the current investments, estimated at an average rate of 1.5%.

 

f)               A need to borrow up to £2.0m to finance capital expenditure, creating a need for revenue resources to service the debt.

 

g)              That the current policy to maintain a minimum balance of 10% of net revenue spend is maintained.

 

h)              That Council Tax increase be equivalent to the 2009/10 increase for the purpose of developing the strategy.

 

i)                That no increase in the Council Tax Base be assumed.

 

1.3.3   A number of risks were identified as part of the initial projection as follows:-

 

a)              The uncertainty surrounding the costs of the national concessionary fares scheme and the future proposals to transfer the function to upper tier authorities in two tier regions.

 

b)              The potential non-delivery of the capital receipts from sale of assets assumed during the programme period, leading to the possible need for borrowing to finance the programme.

 

c)              The potential future loss of HCA grant aid to the Council’s capital programme following the intensive investment programme in 2008/09 and 2009/10.

 

d)              The continuing risk of income shortfall on the revenue budget due to the recession.

1.3.4   Following these decisions, further reports, to approve the medium term financial strategy and to agree the approach to budget consultation for 2010/11, were approved by Cabinet.

 

1.3.5   At its meeting on 16 December 2009, Cabinet considered the latest information relating to the budget strategy for 2010/11 onwards and agreed the following:-

a)        That a provisional spending level based upon the revised        strategic projection set out in Appendix B of the report of Management Team, incorporating the revisions to growth         items as identified in Appendix A of the report of   Management Team and the savings as identified in   Appendix C of the report of Management Team be agreed.

b)        That updates, as soon as available, on progress to achieving   the savings targets from staffing as outlined in the report of      Management Team be requested.

c)        That the updated Capital Programme detailed in Appendix D   of the report of Management Team, along with the budget   set out therein for 2012/13, be agreed.

d)        That the outcome of the budget consultation exercise set       out in section 1.11 and Appendix G of the report of          Management Team be noted and Cabinet’s gratitude be        expressed to all those who participated.

e)        That the updated medium term financial strategy as set out   in Appendix H of the report of Management Team and its   stronger connection to the strategic plan be agreed.

f)         That a continued Council Tax strategy which is materially       within the Government’s Council Tax capping strategy as      outlined in the report of the report of Management Team be     agreed.

g)        That the Corporate Services Overview and Scrutiny       committee be consulted on the budget strategy based on   the above decisions.

 

1.4                  Revenue Budget 2010/11

 

1.4.1   Attached at APPENDIX A and APPENDIX B are the detailed estimates for 2010/11 along with:-

 

a)              actual spend for 2008/09;

b)              original estimate for 2009/10;

c)              revised estimate for 2009/10.

 

1.4.2   APPENDIX A gives a summary of the net expenditure for each service head, which produced a total of £7,841,630 for 2010/11.  This will be reported to Cabinet and included within this Council’s spending plans for 2010/11 to be considered by Council on 3rd March 2010.

1.4.3   Following the summary of net budget requirement more detailed estimates for each service head are given at APPENDIX B.  Each service head details the individual expenditure requirements analysed between employee expenses, other running expenses, internal recharges, central recharges and capital costs.  The expenditure is then reduced by income, such as fees and charges, and recharges to other service heads.  Against each service head are notes which identify any special circumstances relating to that service head and any major items of budget variance.

1.4.4   The cumulative impact of recent reviews of the structure and the impact of the recession has altered the focus of staff resources.  The consequence of this shows in the alterations in internal and central recharges.

 

1.4.5   Also attached at APPENDIX C are detailed growth and savings proposals that have previously been considered by Cabinet.  These proposals have been incorporated into Appendices A and B in order to properly reflect their potential effect upon the portfolio. 

 

1.4.6   The estimate for 2010/11 totals £7,841,630 a reduction of £2,379,560 (23.3%) on the original estimate for 2009/10.  The main reasons for the variation are as follows:-

 

a)              Homeless Temporary Accommodation – recharges to this cost centre have reduced.  Costs have been reallocated to Housing Register & Allocations and Housing Advice & Homelessness prevention.
 

b)              Strategic Housing Role – this is the most significant variation and relates to the effect of the changes to the capital programme on the budget provision to write off the capital grant aid to registered social landlords.

c)              Private Sector Renewal – costs have increased due to increased costs in the Capital Programme that are written off to the service head.  Capital write off and depreciation entries are reversed through the appropriation account in Corporate Services and this growth does not affect the demand upon council tax payers.

d)             Planning Policy – this service head controls the cost of the local development framework and increased costs are funded from allocated resources within the Council’s balances.

e)              Development Control – the costs of this service has reduced as a result of the restructure reducing the level of recharges.

f)               Conservation – a combination of reduced levels of recharges into the service and the transfer of income budgets from Planning Policy have reduced costs in this service head.

g)             Development Control Enforcement – the costs of this service has reduced as a result of the restructure reducing the level of recharges.

h)             Development Control Appeals – as with the enforcement service head, the cost of the appeals service has reduced as a result of lower recharges following the restructure.

i)               Business Development – growth within the service head is matched to growth point revenue grant.  The full grant is reported as income in this service head whereas some expenditure budgets have been set in other service heads.

j)               Sustainable Development – increased recharges for community planning co-ordinator.

      

 

1.4.7   The revised estimate for 2009/10 is £11,771,750, an increase of £1,550,560 (15.2%) on the original estimate for 2009/10.  In many cases the same movement in recharges effect the revised estimate, as affect the estimate for 2010/11 as detailed in paragraph 1.4.7 above.  The major reasons for the variance are as follows:

 

a)        Homelessness; Development Control; Conservation and Sustainable Development – all these service heads are affected by changes to recharges.

b)        Strategic Housing and Private Sector Renewal – these services heads are affected by changes to the capital programme.

c)        Planning Policy – in addition to the work on the local development framework, which is funded from allocated balances, this cost centre controls the Council’s costs in relation to the Kent International Gateway.  The cost, up to completion of the public enquiry, has been previously reported to Cabinet.  The increased budgets in this service head are funded from one off resources as reported to Cabinet.

d)        Business Development – as with the 2010/11 estimate, this service head is the main focus for growth point revenue grant.  The full grant is reported in this service head, whereas some expenditure is reported in other service heads

 

1.5        Capital Budget

1.5.1   Attached at APPENDIX D is the proposed medium term capital programme for services covered by this portfolio.

1.5.2   The Appendix includes information scheme by scheme, for the current year and the following three years.  Support for the High Street Regeneration and Social Housing are key schemes that are focussed on the Council’s priority of regeneration. The majority of other schemes are focussed on the development of options for future regeneration matters under the Council’s growth point proposals.

1.5.3   Due to the Council’s current financial situation the future programme is constrained by available resources and the ability to finance potential borrowing in future years.

 

1.6        Alternative Actions and why not Recommended

1.6.1                          Alternatives have been considered previously by the Cabinet Member and are not appropriate at this stage of the Budget Strategy process.


1.7      Impact on Corporate Objectives

1.7.1   This report is part of the Corporate Budget process which will identify resources to deliver the corporate priorities and strategies agreed by the Council.   

 

1.8        Risk Management

1.8.1 The level of resources, the impact of service demands and the overall budget process is a strategic risk.  The Budget Strategy process, which commenced early in July 2009, incorporating an assessment of budget pressures, the level of resources available and the wide range of external factors, such as capping and government grants, enable the Cabinet to address the Strategic Risk in an effective and efficient manner.  The inter-relationship of the Budget Strategy with the Strategic Plan and other important strategies also facilitates the management of this key strategic risk.

1.9        Other Implications

 

1.9.1

1.      Financial

 

 

X

1.           Staffing

 

 

 

2.           Legal

 

 

 

3.           Equality Impact Needs Assessment

 

 

 

4.           Environmental/Sustainable Development

 

 

5.           Community Safety

 

 

6.           Human Rights Act

 

 

7.           Procurement

 

 

8.           Asset Management

 

 

 

 

1.9.2 Financial Implications - The estimates presented here reflect    decisions taken by the Cabinet at previous meetings.

 

Background Documents

 

Budget working papers file held in Corporate Finance.


 

How to Comment

 

Should you have any comments on the issue that is being considered please contact either the relevant Officer or the Member of the Executive who will be taking the decision.

 

Councillor Malcolm Greer               Cabinet Member for Regeneration
                                                    
Telephone: 01622 862876

                                                     E-mail: malcolmgreer@maidstone.gov.uk

 

Paul Riley                                      Head of Finance

                                                     Telephone: 01622 602396

                                                     E-mail: paulriley@maidstone.gov.uk

 

 
 


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

 

 

NO REPORT WILL BE ACCEPTED WITHOUT THIS BOX BEING COMPLETED

 

 

 

X

 
 


Is this a Key Decision?        Yes                        No     

 

If yes, when did it appear in the Forward Plan?                    

 

 

X

 

 

 
Is this an Urgent Key Decision?     Yes                  No

 

Reason for Urgency

 

[State why the decision is urgent and cannot wait until the next issue of the forward plan.]