Agenda item

To consider an update on the Council’s financial performance and projected full year outturn position for 2024/25 for the revenue account, capital programme and reserves statement as at the end of September 2024.

Cllr Shires updated the Committee that that Budget monitoring for Period 6 showed a slightly improved position with a deficit of £0.995million.

Cllr Penfold asked if the Collectors Cabin roof replacement was based on a quote.

The Director of Resources answered that the £30,000 is considered to be a top end estimate for the work and it is hoped that the work will come in under this budget. Quotes will be sought for the work prior to the recommendations going to Full Council.

Cllr Holliday asked if the increased work within Licensing would continue moving forward such that a further licensing officer is required?

What the savings are expected to be from the LED lighting work?

Will the income from the Collectors Cabin cover the cost of the replacement roof?

Will the customer services software provide work efficiencies?

Cllr Shires answered that the licensing work increases have been substantial and that this post will be funded through the income generated within this service. It is expected that the work level will remain at this level or may even increase further. 

Collectors cabin will generate sufficient income to cover the expense of replacing the roof.

Customer services software is a replacement for workbench. Workbench is unsupported so needs to be replaced. It is not yet known if this will provide work efficiencies.

The Director of Resources explained that she did not have the savings for the LED lighting to hand but said these would be circulated following the meeting.

Cllr Cushing asked if alternative options could be looked at with regard to the Collectors cabin thatched roof.

O&S noted the contents of the report and the current forecast year end position and recommended that:

1.     Officers to work to further reduce the overall projected General Fund deficit for 2024/25

2.     In respect of item 7 below, the Estates Team to explore the most cost-effective materials options (in addition to rethatching) for the re-roof of the Collectors Cabin with competitive quotes and that the budget for the work should be up to £30,000. 

O&S supports Cabinet seeking approval from full Council in respect of the following:

3.) to include an addition to the revenue budget of £13,000 for an addition to existing Exacom software as laid out in paragraph 4.8.1

4.) to include a permanent increase to the revenue budget of £34,000 for an additional member of staff in the Licensing Team as detailed in paragraphs 4.8.2 to 4.8.5. This will be funded from the ring-fenced licencing income.

5.) to include an additional capital budget of £22,000 to complete the Cromer Offices LED lighting project. This is to be funded from the Net Zero Initiatives reserve as detailed in paragraph 5.4.2

6.) to include an additional capital budget of £5,600 to pay the retention sum for the Crinkle Crankle Wall and that this is funded from the Major Projects Reserve as detailed in paragraph 5.4.3

7) to include an additional capital budget of £30,000 to rethatch the Collector’s Cabin roof and that this is to be funded from the Asset Management reserve as detailed in paragraph 5.4.4

8) to include an additional capital budget of £23,400 to develop the customer services C3 software and is to be funded from the Development Plan reserve. as detailed in paragraph 5.4