Issue - meetings

Ms Dunnet informed the Committee that there was a negative variance against the budget during Quarter 2, and this was forecasted to total £231,000 by the end of the financial year.  Contributing factors to the negative variance included unmet Development Control Applications income targets and the subsidy cost of the Park and Ride service.  It was stated that the Council as a whole was projected to end the financial year within budget.

The Committee expressed concern at the update.

Mr Jeff Kitson, Parking Services Manager, explained to the Committee that Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) hadn’t changed significantly in number, and that the anomalous data in the report was due to the introduction of a new reporting tool that required adjustment.  Mr Kitson confirmed that this was to be resolved ahead of Quarter 3.

The Committee recognised that while income associated with Development Control Applications was below the budgeted figure, this was expected to increase in the coming years when the Local Plan Review was fully underway.  Although the financial figures did not read positively, it was welcomed that the Local Plan had given additional control to planning matters.

RESOLVED: That

1.  The revenue position at the end of the second quarter and the actions being taken or proposed to improve the position, where significant variances have been identified, be noted.

2.  The capital position at the end of the second quarter be noted.