Agenda item

Joint Report of the Corporate Director of Neighbourhoods and Climate Change and the Interim Corporate Director of Resources and Treasurer to the Joint Committee.

The Joint Committee considered a joint report of the Corporate Director of Neighbourhoods and Climate Change and Corporate Director of Resources (Interim) and Treasurer to the Joint Committee which set out details of income and expenditure in the period 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021, together with the provisional outturn position for 2020/21, highlighting areas of over / underspend against the revenue budgets at a service expenditure analysis level.

The report further detailed the funds and reserves of the Joint Committee at 1 April 2020 and forecast final position at 31 March 2021, taking into account the updated provisional financial outturn (for copy see file of Minutes).

The Finance Manager, Neighbourhoods and Climate Change, Phillip Curran explained that the revenue outturn showed a surplus (before transfers to reserves and distribution of surpluses to the partner authorities) of £985,411 against a budgeted surplus of £761,132, £224,279 more than the budgeted

Position, a slight change from the projection given in the Quarter Three report of £217,065.  It was noted that details of the significant variances were set out within in the report, with an explanation set out from paragraph 13 onwards.  Members were asked to note additional expenditure on employees of £44,001, relating to overtime and redeployment of staff as a result of the pandemic.  It was added there were increased costs relating to supplies and services of £47,103, relating to additional Medical Reference costs and the period where the webcast facility was offered for free.  The Finance Manager, Neighbourhoods and Climate Change noted that the additional income due to additional cremations of £320,323 had offset the increased costs, giving a net income of £224,279 more than the budgeted Position

Members noted the capital outturn for the Crematorium and the Finance Manager, Neighbourhoods and Climate Change explained it was £176,198 less than the budgeted position, with the main reasons being the reprofiling of three of the schemes within the capital programme so that they would take place in 2021/22, namely: replacement of the chapel dome; re-lining of two cremators; and the enlarging of Cremator One.

The Finance Manager, Neighbourhoods and Climate Change went on to advise that in terms of the retained reserves at 31 March 2021, they were forecast to be £1,638,566 along with a General Reserve of £517,770 giving a forecast total reserves and balances position of £2,156,336 at the year end. 

The Chair thanked the Finance Manager, Neighbourhoods and Climate Change and asked Members for their comments and questions.

In relation to the capital programme, Councillor J Blakey asked for an update in respect of the works to be carried out to the entrance to the crematorium site.  The Bereavement Services Manager and Registrar noted he had met with the Designer two weeks ago and was awaiting the design for the gate with a hope that construction work would commence shortly after receipt of the design.

Town Councillor I Machin asked if the increase of 15 percent in the number of cremations, compared to previous years, had any operational impact such as increased wear and tear on equipment.  The Bereavement Services Manager and Registrar noted additional wear and tear had been observed in relation to the cremators, adding that the enlargement of Cremator One had just been completed, and servicing works were carried out throughout the year as usual.  He added that the cremators were currently working and operational, with the situation as regards wear and tear being monitored.

Resolved:

That the April 2020 to March 2021 financial monitoring report and associated provisional revenue and capital outturn positions at 31 March 2021, including the projected year position with regards to the reserves and balances of the Joint Committee be noted.