To agree the Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 16 March 2023, and 23 March 2023 as a correct record

Resolved: That the Minutes of the Cabinet meetings held on 16 March 2023 and 23 March 2023 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

Any interests not already registered

No additional declarations of interest were made.

A Member asked whether during the Covid-19 pandemic Sencio had asked for forbearance on its loan, or whether it had been offered or given.  The Chairman indicated that funding was made available by the government to the operator.  In July 2021 the Council had made clear that it had concerns about the recovery plan for Sencio and that until the Council was satisfied about the plan, it would not put any further money into the Company.  The Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Officer – Finance and Trading also indicated that there had been a payment holiday on the loan.  The Chairman set out that the loan was a capital and not revenue loan, which was treated as an investment.

He also asked how much the recent flooding had inundated the water systems in his ward.  The Chairman replied that the Council had for many years worked with communities that had suffered flooding and that the support would continue to be extended.

He also asked a question relating to an existing booking by a triathlon club, for 7 May.  The Chairman replied that bodies with bookings should contact Everyone Active, who would seek to honour them.

The Member finally asked a supplementary question about the repayment holiday, seeking clarification on the length of the payment holiday, which had begun at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic and finished in June 2021.

There were none.

The Chairman presented the report, which set out the Council’s forecast financial position as at 31 January 2023. The Head of Finance set out that there was a forecast unfavourable variance of £188,000, down from £242,000 as estimated in November. Favourable variances were predicted from retained business rates, pay costs, Development Management, and support services. Car Parking income was recovering from the pandemic. Investment Returns were performing well, due to high interest rates, as were returns from Multi-asset Income Funds. 

Unfavourable variances were forecast for Direct Services, Conservation, Local Tax, Land Charges, and the Print Shop. Increases in the cost of utilities had affected CCTV and central offices.

Resolved: That the report be noted. 

The Portfolio Holder for Finance & Investment presented the report, which detailed the revenue and capital carry forward requests from the 2022/23 budget to 2023/24. The Head of Finance explained that these figures were prepared before the final outturn was completed and were therefore estimated.  The Portfolio Holder thanked Officers for their support, as it would be his last meeting of Cabinet.  Cabinet thanked him for his work in the role.

The Head of Finance advised that there were eight specific Revenue carry forward requests, set out in Appendix A of the report, and two specific Capital carry forward requests, set out in Appendix B.

Members discussed the report.

Public Sector Equality Duty

Members noted that consideration had been given to impacts under the Public Sector Equality Duty.

Resolved: That:

(a) the Revenue carry forward requests totalling up to £340,000 as set out in paragraph 3 of the report be approved; and

(b) the Capital carry forward requests totalling £919,000 as set out in paragraph 4 of the report be approved.

This notice was published on 21 April 2023.  The decisions contained in minutes 113 and 114 take effect immediately.