Issue - meetings

The Lead Member for Planning and Infrastructure introduced the report setting out the financial and performance position for the services reporting into the Committee as at 31 December 2022 (Quarter 3).

It was noted that:

·  There was an underspend against the budget of £697,000 at the end of Quarter 3 with a projected underspend of £307,000 at the end of the 2022/23 financial year.  These variances reflected, inter alia, over-performance in relation to the Council’s car parks and salaries slippage across all planning functions.  Although services within the Committee’s remit were projected to underspend this year, a balanced position for the Council as a whole was projected for the current financial year.  However, the prospects for 2023/24 remained challenging.

·  Currently there was no capital spend, but the Medway Street flood barrier project would be rolled forward to 2023/24.

·  Unfortunately, the Council had been unsuccessful in its bid for funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund for improvements at junction 7 on the M20 and feedback would be provided.

·  40% (4 of 10) targetable quarterly key performance indicators (KPIs) reportable to this Committee achieved their Quarter 3 targets.  Compared to the last Quarter (Quarter 2 2022/23), performance for 40% (4 of 10) KPIs had improved, 10% (1 of 10) had no change and 30% (3 of 10) had declined.  Variances throughout the year were becoming apparent and these were being kept under review.

The Lead Member and the Head of Finance responded to questions relating to the connection, if any, between the closure of the Park and Ride service and the increase in car park income; the criteria for the submission of bids to the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and the oversight of projects to ensure that they are delivered as expected and achieve value for money; and the possible use of unspent funds to complete work on Conservation Area Appraisals and Management Plans.

The Lead Member undertook to provide feedback on the definition of “Rural” for Rural Shared Prosperity Fund purposes.

The Head of Finance agreed to implement Red, Amber, Green (RAG) status reporting when providing updates on UK Shared Prosperity Fund projects.

RESOLVED:

1.  That the Revenue position as at the end of Quarter 3 for 2022/23, including the actions being taken or proposed to improve the position, where significant variances have been identified, be noted.

2.  That the Capital position at the end of Quarter 3 be noted.

3.  That the Performance position as at Quarter 3 for 2022/23, including the actions being taken or proposed to improve the position, where significant issues have been identified, be noted.

4.  That the Recovery and Renewal Update, attached at Appendix 3 to the report, be noted.

5.  That the UK Shared Prosperity Fund Update, attached at Appendix 4 to the report, be noted.

Note:  Councillor Spooner joined the meeting during consideration of this item (6.46 p.m.).  He said that he had no disclosures of interest or of lobbying.