Issue - meetings

To receive the Leader’s report on the work of the Executive since the Council meeting held on 11 July 2018.

Council is asked to resolve recommendations in respect of:

• Revenue Expenditure Outturn 2017/18
• Polling District and Polling Place Review 2018

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Bettison OBE, presented his report on the work of the Executive since that reported at the Council meeting on 11 July 2018. The Executive had met once on 17 July 2018. 

The Leader highlighted the following matters that had been considered:

·         The Capital Programme 2017/18 had seen outturn expenditure of £103.8m with £36.1m carry forward. The Revenue Budget 2017/18 had Outturn expenditure at £  87.8m with an “underspend” of £0.54m. This was the 20th successive year of spending within budget.

·         The disposal of Easthampstead Park Conference Centre as a going concern had been confirmed.

·         Service Plans for 2018/19 were agreed which substantially completes the delivery of 4 year Council Plan which was agreed in 2015. The Corporate Performance Overview Report (Q4 2018) reported that 88.1% key actions were complete or on schedule and 84% of performance targets had been met or were within 10%.

·         Downshire Homes Ltd (DHL) delivered its first progress report to the Executive and its activities were reducing Council costs by £0.56m. DHL had more flexibility in its letting policy which gave more scope for cost avoidance.

·         The review of polling districts and polling places had been considered and there were very limited changes proposed. These were only where polling stations were no longer available or problematic, or housing developments required new solutions.

·         Biodiversity Action Plan 2018 – 2023 had been agreed.

·         Town Centre Youth Centre feasibility had been commissioned for Braccan Walk.

·         Additional consultation on Cain Road sites for the Local Plan had been agreed for September. 

The report contained recommendations that the Council was asked to resolve in respect of the following matters:

·         Revenue Expenditure Outturn 2017/18

·         Polling Districts and Polling Places Review

In relation to the update on Easthampstead Park Conference Centre Councillor Mrs Temperton asked whether the new contract with Bidder C offered the same conditions as before e.g. requirement to refurbish, restrictions to prevent the site being sold on as well as use of the grounds for local people. Councillor Bettison replied that he considered that the new contract was even more favourable and would be a great thing for residents in the area as they will be able to enjoy the facilities in a way that they have not been able to before. Councillor Heydon, Executive member for Transformation and Finance added that the site would be open to the public in the future.

On the proposition of Councillor Heydon, Executive Member for Transformation and Finance, seconded by Councillor Allen it was

RESOLVED that:

i)              the virements relating to the 2017/18 budget over £0.100m be approved as detailed in Annexe E, within the attached Appendix A to the agenda report; and

ii)             the Treasury Management performance in 2017/18 be noted as set out in Annexe B, within the attached Appendix A to the agenda report.

Councillor Turrell, Executive Member for Transport and Planning advised the meeting that the Polling Districts and Polling Places Review recommendation in the report relating to arrangements in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21