To notify the Chairman of any items that appear later 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 22^nd January 2009.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 22^nd January 2009 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Report of Director of Resources.

Consideration was given to a report which the summarised the projected outturn position in respect of the Council’s revenue activities (for copy see file of Minutes).

It was reported that the General Fund was expected to use balances of around £0.843m compared to a budgeted use of £0.790m - an increase of £0.053m., before the use of provisions. 

The Housing Revenue Account was currently showing a balance budget position with income matching expenditure. A final account position for the training service which was transferred to Bishop Auckland during the year was currently being calculated.

Specific reference was made to paragraph 7 of the report which set out the significant balance sheet items in order to provide a wider perspective on the Council’s financial standing.

RESOLVED :            That the position as at 31^st December 2008 and the                                          projections for the final year be noted.

Report of Director of Resources.

Consideration was given to a report detailing the actual capital programme expenditure and financing position as at 31^st  December 2008, committed expenditure, probable outturn spend as at 31^st March, 2009 commitments carried forward into 2009/2010 and estimated budget savings and pressures (for copy see file of Minutes).

Specific reference was made to table 2 which summarised the actual spend up to December 2008 across all portfolios.

Members noted that the gross spend in the first nine months to 31^st December 2008 was £11.248m against the capital programme budget of £26.539m, which represented 42% of the total budget.  In addition some £5.253m of spend was committed giving a total of £16.501m of actual and committed spend, or some 62% of the total budget.

It was anticipated that some £5.15m would be needed to be carried forward into 2009/10 to enable the agreed capital programme to be completed.  Therefore the total revised estimated costs of the programme were £26.289m compared to a budget of £26.539m giving a saving of £0.250m.

RESOLVED :            That the updated nine month spend position to 31^st                                          December 2008, the amendments to the Capital                                           Programme, the probable outturn position and the                                               commitments carried forward into 2009/10 be noted.

Consideration was given to the Minutes of the meeting held on 13^th January 2009.  (For copy see file of Minutes). 

RESOLVED :            That the Minutes be received.

Consideration was given to the Minutes of the meeting held on 27^th January 2009.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

RESOLVED :            That the Minutes be received.

To consider the Minutes of the following:

Consideration was given to the Minutes of the following :-

• Area 3 Forum - 7^th January 2009
• Area 1 Forum - 19^th January 2009
• Area 5 Forum - 20^th January 2009

(For copies see file of Minutes). 

RESOLVED :            That the Minutes be received.

To consider the Minutes of the meeting held on 4^th February 2009.

Consideration was given to the meeting held on 4^th February 2009.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

RESOLVED :            That the Minutes be received.