Issue - meetings

1.  That the outturn for 2014/15 and the position for 2015/16 as at the end of June 2015 be noted;

2.  That a reference be made to Policy & Resources Committee confirming agreement with the decision of the Policy and Resources Committee on the strategic revenue projection and the capital programme, in so far as it affects this Committee’s budget;

3.  That an informal meeting with relevant officers to discuss budget pressures and opportunities to provide savings to support the medium term financial strategy be arranged, and that the results of that informal meeting be reported to the next meeting of the Committee for consideration; and

4.  That the potential capital projects be informally discussed at that meeting and that the results of that informal meeting be reported to the next meeting of the Committee for consideration.

The Head of Finance and Resources, Paul Riley, introduced the report and explained that there had been a budget overspend for the services that sit within Heritage, Culture and Leisure, and that greater efficiency of service would generate more income.

The Committee heard that under the previous governance system a budget working group was established to informally consider budgetary ideas before presentation to Committees.

During discussion the following was noted that:

·  Income generated from the commercial activities planned for Mote Park would go towards resolving the budget for income, appointing an audience participation Officer, and supporting the medium term financial strategy.

·  Until commercialisation projects were implemented on the ground they would not be included within projected income.

·  The reasons for budget pressures were simple in some instances and complex in others. For instance, the crematorium had been affected by a target for income that was higher than service demand. In contrast, the Museum’s budget was affected by multiple factors including the loss of financial support streams such as funding for educational programmes.

In response to questions it was confirmed that the background data was available for viewing and would be circulated to all Members of the Committee in advance of a meeting of a budget working group.

RESOLVED:

1.  That the outturn for 2014/15 and the position for 2015/16 as at the end of June 2015 be noted;

2.  That a reference be made to Policy & Resources Committee confirming agreement with the decision of the Policy and Resources Committee on the strategic revenue projection and the capital programme, in so far as it affects this Committee’s budget;

3.  That an informal meeting with relevant officers to discuss budget pressures and opportunities to provide savings to support the medium term financial strategy be arranged, and that the results of that informal meeting be reported to the next meeting of the Committee for consideration; and

4.  That the potential capital projects be informally discussed at that meeting and that the results of that informal meeting be reported to the next meeting of the Committee for consideration.

For – 9  Against – 0  Abstain – 0