Agenda item

Joint Report of the Interim Corporate Director: Resources / Treasurer to the Joint Committee and the Interim Corporate Director: Neighbourhood Services.

The Joint Committee considered a Joint Report of the Interim Corporate Director: Neighbourhood Services and Interim Corporate Director: Resources and Treasurer to the Joint Committee which sought approval of the Joint Committees Return, with the report also including details of the financial outturn position against approved budgets for 2015/16 (for copy see file of minutes).

The Principal Accountant referred Members to the financial outturn position for 2015/16, advising that the final outturn position was broadly in line with the provisional outturn position, with only a minor decrease in the overall net income for the year.  Details of significant variances were contained within the report and duly noted.  Members were reminded that in terms of capital works, the ongoing work as regards replacing the canopies had carried over into the next financial year.  The report also included details of the updated position in terms of reserves and balances held and it was added that the Major Capital Works reserve was maintained in line with agreed policy. 

With reference to the Joint Return, it was highlighted that this was a statutory return and once agreed and signed by the Chairman, Treasurer and Clerk it would be submitted to the Joint Committee’s External Auditors accordingly.  Members were also asked to note the balance sheet was attached at Appendix 2 of the report.

Councillor P Conway asked that as there had been a reduction in terms of business rates, had this then been factored into the budget setting.  The Principal Accountant noted that the business rate charge in 2016/17 had reduced and therefore there would be scope to reduce the budget in 2017/18 and this would be reflected in the January 2017 budget report.  Any further improvement works, which will be included in the Service Asset Management Plan (SAMP) and considered at the next meeting of the Committee will also be reflected in the 2017/18 budget report.

Resolved:

(i)       That the revenue and capital outturn position as at 31 March 2016, including the year-end position with regards reserves and balances of the Joint Committee, together with the Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2016 be noted.

(ii)      That the Governance Statement 2015/16 of the Joint Committees Return for thefinancial year ended 31 March 2016 be approved.

(iii)      That the Accounting Statements 2015/16 of the Joint Committees Return for thefinancial year ended 31 March 2016 be approved.

(iv)     That the Chairman, Treasurer and Clerk sign the Joint Committees Return for the          financial year ended 31 March 2016.