MAIDSTONE BOROUGH COUNCIL
RECORD OF DECISION OF THE Cabinet
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Decision Made: |
14 May 2014 |
REPORT OF THE ECONOMIC & COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT OVERVIEW & SCRUTINY COMMITTEE - EVENTS REVIEW
Issue for Decision
To consider the recommendations within the ‘Events Review’
report attached at Appendix A, and the SCRAIP response attached as
Appendix B, to the report of the Economic and Commercial Development Overview
and Scrutiny Committee.
Decision Made
(a)
That the recommendations made by the Economic and Commercial Development
Overview & Scrutiny Committee (as set out in Appendix A to the report) and
the Scrutiny Committee Response Action Implementation Plan (SCRAIP) (as set out
in Appendix B to the report) be noted;
(b)
That the Director of Regeneration and Communities, together with the
Head of Commercial and Economic Development, in consultation with the Cabinet
Member for Community & Leisure Services and the Cabinet Member for Economic
and Commercial Development, review the recommendations that the Committee made
and incorporate them where appropriate into the Strategy for Festivals and
Events that will be produced early in the new municipal year; and
(c) That the Commercial Strategy for Festivals and Events be brought to a future Cabinet Meeting for consideration.
Reasons for Decision
(a)
At the meeting of the 22 October 2013, the Economic and Commercial
Development Overview & Scrutiny Committee decided to undertake a review of
events in the borough. The scoping document for this review was attached at
Appendix A to the report of the Economic & Commercial Development Overview
& Scrutiny Committee. The scope of the review was expanded to include an
assessment of how the Council supports those who run event sin the borough.
This was because during the meeting of 28 January 2014 Dawn Hudd, the Head of
Commercial and Economic Development, informed the Committee of a toolkit to
measure the impact of events that the Council would be introducing. It was
explained to the Committee that this toolkit would not be able to measure the
impact of past events. Therefore the Committee decided to increase the scope
of the review.
(b)
The Committee interviewed a wide variety of witnesses to gather evidence
for this review, including:
- Dawn Hudd, Head of Commercial & Economic Development at
Maidstone Borough Council
- Jennifer Hunt, Local Economy Project Officer at Maidstone
Borough Council
- Alan Reading, Chairman of Maidstone Tourism Association
- Ken Scott, Chairman of Maidstone Area Arts Partnership
- Emily Hirons, General Manager and Natalie Kirk, Events
Manager of Kent Life
- Natalie Price, General Manager of the Hazlitt Arts Centre
(a) The recommendations set out in the report of the Economic & Commercial Development Overview & Scrutiny Committee to Cabinet are made as a result of the evidence heard from the above witnesses.
Alternatives considered and why rejected
Cabinet could have decided not to respond to the recommendations contained within the “Events Review” report, but was mindful that the recommendations are based on evidence from a range of sources and support the Council’s objectives with regard to Maidstone being a decent place to live.
Background Papers
None
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Should you be concerned about this decision and wish to call it in, please submit a call in form signed by any two Non-Executive Members to the Head of Policy and Communications by: 23 May 2014 |
MAIDSTONE BOROUGH COUNCIL
RECORD OF DECISION OF THE Cabinet
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Decision Made: |
14 May 2014 |
REPORT OF HEAD OF FINANCE AND RESOURCES - PROVISIONAL OUTTURN 2013/14
Issue for Decision
The report summarised the provisional revenue and capital outturn figures for 2013/14 and provided some initial consideration of the impact of these figures on future financial planning.
Decision Made
(a)
That the first set of provisional outturn figures for revenue and
capital for 2013/14 be noted;
(b)
That the provisional funding of capital expenditure in 2013/14 as set
out in paragraph 1.6.3 of the Report of the Head of Finance and Resources be
agreed and that the resulting carry forward of £6.157m of revenue resources set
aside to finance the capital programme in future years as detailed in paragraph
1.6.7. of the report be noted;
(c)
That the carry forward from 2013/14 into 2014/15 of grant funding as
detailed in Appendix B to the report be noted;
(d)
That the revenue carry forward requests from 2013/14 into 20/15 as
detailed in Appendix C to the report were considered and approved; and
(e) That the impact on the balance sheet of the provisional outturn 2013/14 was noted.
Reasons for Decision
(a)
The purpose of the report was to facilitate good financial management.
It detailed provisional figures for revenue and capital outturn to allow early
consideration of any issues arising from them, not only in the current financial
year but in terms of any impact on future strategy.
(b)
The medium term financial strategy and the strategic plan will be
undergoing a full review in 2014/15 for the forthcoming five year period
2015/16 to 2019/20. The strategy will continue to identify the impact of the
government’s fiscal plans and their effect on local government. Current
assumptions are that the government’s general support to local government
through revenue support grant will be removed completed by 2020.
(c)
Early sight of the provisional outturn figures for 2013/14 will provide
members with information and greater clarity about the Council’s financial
position and the level of available resources as the financial year 2014/15
commences. The information will also aid Cabinet’s consideration of the risks
in advance of the medium term financial strategy development for 2015/16
onwards.
(d) If the provisional outturn detailed in the report of the Head of Finance and Resources was amended prior to the report on the Statement of Accounts to the Audit Committee then final expenditure figures for revenue and capital would be reported back to the June 2014 Cabinet meeting.
Alternatives considered and why rejected
(a)
The reporting of revenue outturn could have waited until the Cabinet
meeting in June 2014 when final figures are available in the Statement of
Accounts prior to external audit. However, providing provisional outturn to
Cabinet in May facilitates good financial management and aids consideration of
issues within the current financial year and helps inform future budget
strategy.
(b) The early approval of requests for carry forward of revenue resources enables budget managers to continue to provide the planned services for which the resources are required without the delay of waiting for a later Cabinet meeting.
Background Papers
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Should you be concerned about this decision and wish to call it in, please submit a call in form signed by any two Non-Executive Members to the Head of Policy and Communications by: xxxxxxxxxx. |