Issue - meetings

This report asks the Executive to consider a proposed Capital Strategy for the period 2006 to 2011 and a revised CRAM (Capital Resource Allocation Model) process, which aids the allocation of funding in line with the Council’s corporate aims.

RESOLVED:(i) That the report be noted and the strategic approach agreed in principle;

                        (ii) That the output from the CRAM model be viewed as a useful guide for the Executive when determining budget priorities.

Members received a report which asked them to consider a proposed Capital Strategy for the period 2006 to 2011 and a revised Capital Resource Allocation Model (CRAM) process, which aided the allocation of funding in line with the Council’s corporate aims.

The proposed Capital Strategy was attached as Annex 1 of the report and the revised CRAM process was set out at Annex 2.

The Strategy outlined the next steps to be taken by officers and Members in establishing a capital programme of investment that moved the Council and its service provision forward.  This would require difficult decisions about the release of existing assets to generate the funding needed to invest in those assets to be retained to support future integrated service provision.

The Capital Strategy also required Directors and Executive Members to take ownership of their priorities for capital investment in their service areas.  The CRAM required each Director and Executive Member to approve and present each bid to the Executive for the allocation of capital resource.

Members explained that they wanted to stop short of embracing a revised CRAM process which could inhibit their ability to act flexibly to meet new challenges or to take advantage of new opportunities, and therefore proposed that it be considered as a guide in prioritisation.

RESOLVED:(i) That the report be noted and the strategic approach agreed in principle;

                        (ii) That the output from the CRAM model be viewed as a useful guide for the Executive when determining budget priorities.

REASON:                  To set out the Council’s priorities for capital investment and the framework for the allocation and management f capital resources within the authority.