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

Members had no interests to declare.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 6^th November 2008.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 6^th November 2008 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 budget for main portfolios, the actual income and expenditure, forecasted outturn for 2008/09 and the variance between the annual budget and projected outturn.

It was noted that both the Housing Revenue Account and the Training and Employment Service were undergoing a process of transferring service provision to external organisations and a financial position statement would be prepared in due course to fully incorporate the implications of the transfers.

With regard to the General Fund, it was expected that balances of around £1.146m would be used, compared to a budgeted use of £0.790m.  The overspend of £356,000 was solely attributable to the existing economic climate. The Council, in common with other organisations, was experiencing severe pressure in relation to energy and fuel bills as well as a downturn in income and reduced investment returns, following a downturn in housing land sales.

Members’ attention was drawn to the table set out in paragraph 3.3 which set out the overall financial position for the General Fund at 30^th September 2008.

RESOLVED :         1.            That the position as a 30^th September 2008 and the projections for the financial year be noted.

                                 2.            That a further report be submitted detailing the position as at 31^st December 2008.

Report of Director of Resources.

Consideration was given to a report detailing the progress made to date in meeting the Council’s spending targets, the carry forward approved by the Council of commitments unspent on the 2007/08, the available capital resources and the proposed financing of the 2008/09 programme. 

(For copy see file of Minutes).

Specific reference was made to the table set out in paragraph 3.3, which summarised the actual spend to 30^th September 2008 across all portfolios. 

It was reported that the gross total spend in the first six months up to 30^th September was £7.196m or 27% of the gross capital programme budget of £26.344m. 

Members noted that gross spending in respect of Chilton Depot and Safer Communities had exceeded the budget and it would be necessary to use £17,000 from the Contingency Fund.

RESOLVED :         1.         That the six month spend position to 30^th September 2008 be noted and the amendments to the Capital Programme be noted.

2.                  That no further call be made on the Contingency Fund until the probable spend on the capital schemes during the remainder of the year has been fully reviewed.

3.                  Further reports to be submitted to Cabinet and all Strategic Working Groups detailing the position as at 31^st December in line with the Budgetary Control Monitoring Arrangements.

To consider the minutes of the following meetings:

Consideration was given to the Minutes of the following meetings:

(For copies see file of Minutes)

RESOLVED :            That the Minutes be received.

Minutes of the meeting held on 23^rd October 2008.

Consideration was given to the Minutes of the meeting held on 23^rd October 2008  (For copy see file of Minutes).

RESOLVED :            That the Minutes be received.

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 3 of  Schedule 12a of the Act.

Report of Director of Resources

Consideration was given to a report detailing two requests for the lease of Council-owned land to community groups for the construction of new community buildings.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

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

Published on 20^th November 2008.

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