Agenda item

Cllr Shires explained that the budget monitoring paper had been to Cabinet and Overview and Scrutiny committee.

Cllr Shires drew members attention to recommendation four which related to an increase to the staffing in the licensing team due to an increase in the licensing work and recommendation seven which related to the Collectors cabin roof. Cllr Shires assured members money would not be spent until best value for money has been achieved.

Cllr Taylor asked Cllr Varley what the revenue savings and carbon savings would be created each year as a result of the LED lighting works and how these would be evidence and audited moving forward.

Cllr Varley explained that he did not have the information to hand and would provide Cllr Taylor with a written response.

Cllr Taylor expressed his dissatisfaction at this response and stated that he expected some more information to be available given that Councillors need to ensure residents are getting the best possible deal.

Cllr Shires replied that the question was asked at Overview and Scrutiny and Officer Stankley was going to provide a written response.

Cllr Taylor confirmed that he did not feel comfortable voting unless he knew the full information.

Cllr Shires explained she understood Cllr Taylor’s discomfort. Could caveat the recommendation, but the Council has a net zero commitment to meet for which this work is required.

Cllr Taylor stated that he could not vote on something unless hr understood the ramifications. It cannot be net zero at any cost.

Cllr Cushing asked Cllr Shires to confirm that the Council has so far internally borrowed £8 million and how much the Council will have internally borrowed by the end of 2024/25.

Cllr Shires asked that she be able to provide a written response to the question so the correct details are presented.

Cllr Cushing went on to ask about the reserve positions for both the general and earmarked funds.

Cllr Shires was unable to find the information so said she would provide Cllr Cushing with a written response following the meeting. She also stated that should Cllr Cushing have any questions; she was happy to provide information if given an understanding of the information required. 

Cllr FitzPatrick asked if Cabinet had a sufficient grip on the Councils income and expenditure. 

Cllr Shires explained that Cabinet were fully aware of the reasons agency staff have been required to meet the shortfall of staff within finance. Staff are working within a very difficult situation and have risen to the challenges time and time again and for that we thank them. With the announcement of the local government settlement, it cannot be said that Government understand the pressures felt within local government finance.

Cllr Fitzpatrick responded to say that maternity leave, sick leave, compassionate leave should all be built into the budget. The officers are all doing a very good job, it is the   administration that does not have a grip on the finances. The administration is failing to lead the officers and that is no reflection on the officers of this Council.

Cllr Adams replied that the significant financial pressure for this Council is temporary accommodation, a factor that is shared by district, city and borough councils alike.

Cllr Bayes asked if a robust business case had been produced for item 4 to show the cost benefit analysis of this post and is this post a temporary post.

Cllr Ringer responded that revenue that comes in for licensing can only be used to fund the processing of licensing applications. Licensing is not profit making, extra demand needs to be adequately staffed.

Cllr Bayes asked how much will the applications bring in to justify the post.

Cllr Ringmer replied that he was happy to send Cllr Bayes the figures, but assured members that the Council would not be employing additional staff unless we were recouping costs.

Cllr Cushing asked if quotes had been received for the Collectors Cabin roof. 

Cllr Shires confirmed that quotes had not been received for alternatives to a thatched roof.

The Chair moved to a vote.

Vote on recommendation 1 and 2

Proposed by Cllr Shires and seconded by Cllr Admas

Councillors voted unanimously in favour of these two recommendations.

Vote on recommendations 3,6 and 8.

Proposed by Cllr Shires and seconded by Cllr Withington

Councillors voted unanimously in favour of these three recommendations.

Vote on recommendations 4,5 and 7

Proposed by Cllr Shires and seconded by Cllr Admas

Favour – 20

Against – 11

Abstain – 0

All recommendations were approved

Full Council:

1.     Noted the contents of the report and the current forecast year end position.

2.     Noted that officers will work together to take action to reduce the overall projected General Fund deficit for 2024/25.

Full Council approved:

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 5.4.5