Agenda item

Report of the Cabinet Member Finance and Assets

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Assets introduced the report, which she said was a testament to the dedicated service of the previous portfolio holder who had steered the financial shift with common sense, and also to the incredible work of CBC’s finance team.  She highlighted the following headline issues:

-          Golden Valley is the council’s goal, widely support both as a revenue stream and investment opportunity, underpinning the future delivery of many vital frontline services, including jobs and homes;  CBC is spending a lot of money on it, but for very good reasons;

-          tough choices will have to be made as central government funding does not keep up with residents’ needs.  It isn’t know whether the new government will make a difference, but CBC will continue its great record of finding creative opportunities to deliver the services that residents deserve.  The report highlights how this is being done, as well as the new and exciting ways CBC is investing in the town;

-          climate change remains a pressing issue, and all service delivery aims to reduce overheads and at the same time ensure sustainability for our future and the planet;

-          the report shows that the council has clear priorities and is serious about the goals set out in the corporate plan.   We are getting the basics right, and must work backwards from our key commercial and strategic objectives to ensure that these can be delivered sustainably.  CBC will continue to invest in the town, not just for its bank account but also in the best interests of the people;

-          it is clear that we need money in reserves, and the she and finance team are determined to ensure that it is in a strong position to face whatever the world throws at us.

She was happy to commend the report.

In response to a Members’ questions, the Cabinet Member for Finance and Assets said that:

-          she is often asked what CBC is doing differently from other councils to enable it to underspend and avoid the risk of bankruptcy, and considers this to be due to our strong commercial strategy and investment in Cheltenham.  This allows CBC to continue to deliver the frontline services we all know and love, such as No Child Left Behind;

-          while many properties in the town are owned by other authorities, pension groups and other such organisations, she can confirm that CBC’s investment in Cheltenham is for Cheltenham – we know the area and what the market demands, and not only create money for services, but also improve the town’s buildings and keep retail in consistent use.  This is not the approach taken by every council.

A Member spoke about the stories behind the figures, in particular the cost of cleaning up graffiti in the town. He explained that as graffiti is criminal damage prevention falls under the responsibility of the police rather than the council, but highlighted that there is also a cost to consider in terms of wellbeing and civic pride. He noted that the OPCC takes 14% of our council tax, and wondered whether an estimate of the cost to the council could be provided and CBC could suggest, maybe via Overview and Scrutiny, that the town needs more policing. The Cabinet Member said that she could provide an estimate.

In response to a Member’s questions relating to S106 monies, the Director of Finance and Assets said that:

-          some S106 funding was time-bound – she could provide details if required – but a review in 2023-24 suggested that the risk of repayment was low;

-          she could also provide details on specific S106 money that has been on the balance sheet for some time, and confirmed that a public art project was about to be initiated

There was no debate on this item.

RESOLVED THAT:

1.    the financial outturn performance position for the General Fund is received, and it is noted that in delivering services in 2023/24, after the application of carry forward requests and following the use earmarked reserves, there was an underspend of £318 against the 2023/24 revised budget approved by Council on 23 February 2024.

2.    £508,081 of carry forward approved by the Section 151 Officer under delegated powers at Appendix 5 is noted;

3.    the annual treasury management report at Appendix 7 and the actual 2023/24 prudential and treasury indicators are noted;

4.    the capital programme outturn position as detailed in Section 7 of this report  and Appendix 8 are noted, and the carry forward of unspent budgets into 2024/25 and the inclusion of one new project in the 2024/25 capital programme with a total commitment of £170,000 are approved;

5.    the year-end position in respect of Section 106 agreements and partnership funding agreements at Appendix 9 is noted;

6.    the outturn position in respect of collection rates for council tax and non-domestic rates for 2023/24 in Appendix 10 is noted;

7.    the financial outturn performance position for the Housing Revenue Account for 2023/24 in Appendix 11 is received, and the carry forward of capital budgets from 2023/24 into 2024/25 as set out in Appendix 12 is approved.