Issue - meetings

To consider and receive the report of the Statutory Finance Officer.

The Executive Member (Resources), Councillor Peter Wilson, presented the report of the Statutory Finance Officer which sets out the provisional revenue and capital outturn figures for the Council as compared against the budgets and efficiency savings targets set for the financial year 2018/19.

Councillor Martin Boardman, Deputy Leader of the Opposition, queried the fall in income levels relating to planning application fees.  Member noted that the numbers of homes built in Chorley is expected to rise under the National Planning Policy Framework. 

The Executive Member (Resources), Councillor Peter Wilson, proposed and the Executive Leader, Councillor Alistair Bradley, seconded the Decision – to

1.    Note the full year forecast position for the 2018/19 revenue budget and capital investment programme.

2.    Note the forecast position on the Council's reserves.

3.    Grant approval for the contribution of £200,000 from in-year revenue underspends to the Business Rates Retention Reserve.

4.    Grant approval for the contribution of £90,000 from in-year revenue underspends to finance the commissioning of a Highways and Transport Strategy.

5.    Note Executive Cabinet approval for the contribution of £10,000 from in-year revenue underspends to finance the desktop study of pupil projections and need for additional schools in Chorley.

6.    Note the capital programme to be delivered in 2018/19 to 2020/21.

To consider and receive the report of the Statutory Finance Officer.

1.         To note the full year forecast position for the 2018/19 revenue budget and capital investment programme.

2.         To note the forecast position on the Council's reserves.

3.         To request Council approval for the contribution of £200,000 from in-year revenue underspends to the Business Rates Retention Reserve.

4.         To request Council approval for the contribution of £90,000 from in-year revenue underspends to finance the commissioning of a Highways and Transport Strategy.

5.         To approve the contribution of £10,000 from in-year revenue underspends to finance the desktop study of pupil projections and need for additional schools in Chorley.

6.         To request Council note the capital programme to be delivered in 2018/19 to 2020/21.

Councillor Peter Wilson, Executive Member (Resources) presented the report of the Chief Finance Officer which sets out the provisional revenue and capital outturn figures for the Council as compared against the budgets and efficiency savings targets set for the financial year 2018/19.

Members considered the recommendations which require Council approval in relation to the Business Rates Retention Reserve and the commissioning of a Highways and Transport Strategy.  On the Strategy Members noted that South Ribble and Preston respectively have comprehensively detailed their assessment of issues, opportunities and infrastructure requirements within the recent Central Lancashire Highways and Transport Masterplan and Preston Town Centre Masterplan.  Chorley has not undertaken the same level of assessment to ‘set the scene’ of the transport issues specific to the area, which is a high priority in the borough under significant pressure.

The desktop study of pupil projections and need for additional schools in Chorley was discussed.  This is a pro-active assessment and will inform Chorley’s part of the subsequent allocations and strategic planning during the wider Central Lancashire Local Plan Review process and evidence future CIL contributions.

Decision:

1.         To note the full year forecast position for the 2018/19 revenue budget and capital investment programme.

2.         To note the forecast position on the Council's reserves.

3.         To request Council approval for the contribution of £200,000 from in-year revenue underspends to the Business Rates Retention Reserve.

4.         To request Council approval for the contribution of £90,000 from in-year revenue underspends to finance the commissioning of a Highways and Transport Strategy.

5.         To approve the contribution of £10,000 from in-year revenue underspends to finance the desktop study of pupil projections and need for additional schools in Chorley.

6.         To request Council note the capital programme to be delivered in 2018/19 to 2020/21.

Reasons for recommendation(s)

To ensure the Council’s budgetary targets are achieved.

Alternative options considered and rejected

None.