To notify the Chairman of any items that appear in the agenda in which you may have an interest.

No declarations of interest were made.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 11^th November 2004.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 11^th November 2004 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Report of Director of Resources.

Consideration was given to a report regarding the above.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

The report gave details of the approved budgets for the main portfolios, profiled budgets for the first six months of 2004/05, actual income and expenditure, the projected probable outturn for 2004/5 based on spend to date and known commitments and the variance between the annual budget and the projected probable outturn.

With regard to the General Fund, it was explained there would be an anticipated contribution to balances of £348,000 against a budgeted use of balances of £300,000, which provided an opportunity to make some early provision for the impact on service costs of the job evaluation exercise, which would be concluded in Spring 2005.

It was reported that the Housing Maintenance Budget was currently overspent and if not corrected, would require a greater use of capital receipts to replace revenue funding to the capital programme.  Members noted that the Director of Housing Services was currently examining the spending profile to ascertain what action could be taken to mitigate the overspend position.

Specific reference was also made to the Training and Employment Service, which was anticipated to produce an operating surplus in the region of £100,000, against an original forecast of break even position.

RESOLVED :         1.         That the financial position for 2004/05 be noted.

                        2.         That in view of the position on the General Fund, a sum of £350,000 be set aside to help meet the initial costs of Job Evaluation.

                        3.         That a further report be submitted to Cabinet detailing the position at 31^st December 2004 (nine months position).          

Report of Director of Resources.

Consideration was given to a report reviewing the progress made to date in meeting the Council’s spending targets and outlining developments that have occurred during the financial year which have had an impact on the overall Capital Programme.  (For copy see file of Minutes). 

Members’ attention was drawn to Paragraph 3.18 of the report, which gave details of the initial and revised capital spending targets for the 2004/05 financial year. It was noted that total resources for the year had increased from £10,200,000 to £14,600,000 as a result of significant capital receipts and additional grant income. 

RESOLVED :         1.         That the half- year spend position to 30th September 2004 be noted.

                        2.         That a further report be submitted to Cabinet showing progress to the third quarter 31^st December 2004.   

Minutes of the meeting held on 12^th October 2004.

Consideration was given to the Minutes of the meeting of Overview and Scrutiny Committee 1 held on 12th October 2004.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

RESOLVED :   That the Committee’s recommendations be noted and appropriate action be taken.

To consider the minutes of the following:

Consideration was given to the Minutes of the meeting of the following:

Area 1 Forum            …            25^th October 2004

Area 2 Forum            …            2^nd November 2004

(For copies see file of Minutes).

RESOLVED :           That the reports be noted.

RESOLVED:             That in accordance with Section 100(a)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it may involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 8 of Schedule 12a of the Act.

Report of Solicitor to the Council.

Consideration was given to a report summarising the steps to be taken to ensure that the Council was able to comply with requirements of the Regulation Of Investigatory Powers Act 2000.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

RESOLVED :            That the recommendations detailed in the report be adopted.             

Published on 26^th November, 2004

These Minutes contain no key decisions and will be implemented immediately.