Agenda item

This report provides details of the headline performance issues from the third performance monitor period up to 31 January 2009 and presents the latest projection of the Council’s revenue out-turn for 2008/09.

RESOLVED: (i)         That the performance issues identified in the report be noted.

REASON:      So that corrective action on these performance issues can be taken by Corporate Management Team and directorates.

                        (ii)        That the application for a supplementary estimate request of £40k for fostering costs to be funded from the contingency fund, as set out in paragraph 27 and Annex 3, be approved.

REASON:      In accordance with the Executive’s Constitutional powers to make decisions on the level and granting of supplementary estimates, and to ensure the provision of services to vulnerable children.

                        (iii)       That the request from the Director of Resources for a virement of £106k between Treasury Management and Leisur and Culture, as set out in paragraph 28, be approved.

REASON:      This is a cross-departmental virement where one side falls within the remit of the Executive.

Members considered a report which provided details of the headline performance issues from the third performance monitor period, up to 31 January 2009, and presented the latest projection of the Council’s revenue out-turn for 2008/09.  The Chair welcomed Keith Best, the Council’s new Assistant Director of Corporate Finance, to the meeting.

With regard to performance issues, there had been an overall improvement in 63% of indicators so far this year, with 64% on target.  The figures for LAA indicators were of concern, with 51% improving and 54% on target.  However, several LAA indicators were yet to be reported and a full picture would not be available until the end of the year.  65% of indicators supporting a corporate priority were improving, with 55% on target.  80% of the Council’s key projects were on track to be delivered on time.  The report highlighted specific improvements against targets in relation to: affordable homes, recycling and household waste, serious acquisitive crime, youth offending, independent living, Council Tax collections, and staff attendance / health & safety.  Areas for improvement included: out of work benefits, average earnings of employees in the City of York area, educational attainment, and NEETs (16-18 year olds not currently in education, employment or training).

With regard to the revenue budget, service areas were projecting an overspend of £620k, as compared to £170k at monitor 2.  Central budgets were forecast to underspend by £136kk and Treasury Management activity was forecast to underspend by £1,226k.  These variations were due mainly to additional costs resulting from the recent extreme weather conditions, continuing increased demand on Children’s Social Care costs and the impact of the current economic climate on the activities of Yorwaste.  On the Non General Fund, an overspend of £358k was projected on the Dedicated School Grant (DSG) functions.  The current working balance of the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) was £7,238k, with a projected out-turn balance of £7,419k.  Members were asked to consider requests for:

• The release of an additional £40k of contingency funding in relation to fostering costs (further to the sum granted at the Executive meeting on 20 January 2009 – Minute 159 refers) and
• Approval to vire £106k between the Treasury Management and Leisure and Cultural Services budgets to meet the costs in 2008/09 for the Barbican Centre.

Having noted the comments of the Shadow Executive on this item, it was

RESOLVED: (i)         That the performance issues identified in the report be noted.

REASON:      So that corrective action on these performance issues can be taken by Corporate Management Team and directorates.

                        (ii)        That the application for a supplementary estimate request of £40k for fostering costs to be funded from the contingency fund, as set out in paragraph 27 and Annex 3, be approved.¹

REASON:      In accordance with the Executive’s Constitutional powers to make decisions on the level and granting of supplementary estimates, and to ensure the provision of services to vulnerable children.

                        (iii)       That the request from the Director of Resources for a virement of £106k between Treasury Management and Leisure and Culture, as set out in paragraph 28, be approved.²

REASON:      This is a cross-departmental virement where one side falls within the remit of the Executive.