Agenda item

Financial Monitoring Report 2010/11 - Spend to 31 May 2010 and Projected Outturn to 31 March 2011.

The Head of Finance, HR and Business Support referred Members to the report setting out actual spend position for the year so far and the projection for the outturn to 31 March 2011 (for copy, see file of minutes).  It was explained that whilst it was early in the financial year an underspend had been forecast against the Employees budget, this was due to it being anticipated that there would be no annual pay award now in 2010/11.  Members were reminded that as previously agreed any surplus would be transferred into the ring-fenced reserves for capital works.

Councillor D Stoker asked the Joint Committee to note that whilst the 0% pay increase across public services was suggested by Central Government, it was for Local Government to make its own determination upon whether it was appropriate their own Authority or otherwise.

Councillor J Marr asked when a decision regarding the options for works associated with the cremator would need to be taken by the Joint Committee. 

The Head of Finance, HR and Business Support noted that the options appraisal, based on self-finance over 10 years, set out three options namely cremator replacement only; cremator replacement and works to access and car parking; and a full renovation of the Crematorium facility.  Members heard that the critical factor in this would be the costings for the cremators and forecast build costs to house the equipment as it may be that options were limited in terms of the extent of the affordable development. It was noted that the current tender process for the cremators was therefore a key milestone in these discussions.

It was noted that Spennymoor Town Council had earmarked reserves in place and whilst independent evaluation had indicated costs were in line with initial predictions by Durham County Council, it was felt that it would be prudent to await feedback from the tender process prior to a decision being made.

Councillor J Marr asked whether the cost of “Option 2”, cremator replacement and access/car park improvements, would be included as part of the tender submissions.  The Head of Finance, HR and Business Support noted that the tenders were solely for the cremator replacement, works associated with access and car parking would be subject to separate procurement exercises, with the in-house service at Durham County Council likely to submit a tender.  Councillor N Foster added that of course, the option of access and car park works would be looked at after to the completion of the tender process.

Resolved:

That the Joint Committee note the April to May 2010 Revenue spend financial monitoring report and associated provisional outturn position 2010/11.