Decision details

Members received a report which advised them of the draft financial outturn for 2005/06 for Commercial Services, alongside the full year service performance statistics. 

Commercial Services had made a surplus of £398k on its trading activities, against an approved budget of £139k.  This was achieved despite pressures on expenditure caused by substantial rises in fuel prices and a significant rise in the monitoring and replacement of equipment and health surveillance for staff, as a result of the European Physical Agents (Vibration) Directive and the implementation of the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 in the UK.  This level of the surplus had been achieved through aggressive expenditure controls and the withholding of the vehicle replacement programme.   This decision had affected the Civil Engineering department, where the replacement of six gritters and two gully tankers had been held over into the 2006/07 financial year. 

There were currently eighty service performance measures for Commercial Services, most of which were close to or exceeding their targets.  There were a small number of areas of delivery which required attention and many examples of service excellence.  Annex 1 of the report set out details of performance against each individual target.

In answer to questions relating to targets indicated by an arrow showing direction of travel of the target, Officers agreed to circulate Members further details of those relating to Civils.

Officers confirmed that the recommendation relating to the retention of the £103,000 in reserves, pending the findings of the depot fire investigation or whether to release it back to the General Fund was an Executive decision which could not be made by the Executive Member.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised that the contents of the report be noted;

Decision of the Executive Member

RESOLVED:That the advice of the Advisory Panel be accepted and the suggested decision, above, be endorsed.

REASON:                        To update the Executive Member;