Issue - meetings

The Board considered the Quarter 2 Finance and Monitoring Report for 2011/12.  It was requested that further information be provided where necessary on the following items:-

• The role of the Audit Board in relation to Finance Monitoring.
• Savings from Regulatory Services
• Under spend on vacancies, vacancy management, use of temporary agency staff and consultancy fees.
• The accuracy of the budget process
• The delay in resurfacing the High Street (further detailed explanation to be provided by Executive Director, Finance and Corporate Resources)
• Shortfall in Car Parking income
• Streets and Grounds Maintenance – concerns were raised that such a large saving would impact on services and the condition of the footpaths surrounding the Council House were discussed. (Head of Environmental Services be asked to attend a future meeting of the Board in order to provide Members with more detailed information).
• Employment of agency staff and vacant post in Environmental Services (Executive Director, Finance and Corporate Resources to seek clarification on details of vacant post).
• A Member also commented on the response time to a telephone call, which he had made to the Customer Service Centre (and difficulties in contacting Regulatory Services).  He was concerned that this may have been due to staffing issues (Executive Director, Finance and Corporate Resources to take up with relevant Heads of Service).
• An overspend on the Bonfire Event in comparison with previous years.
• Leisure and Cultural Services – scheme for Alvechurch Lions football pitch (Executive Director, Finance and Corporate Resources to seek further details).
• The availability of grants.
• Benefit subsidies
• Costs and underspend on Elections and Electoral Services
• Sundry debtors and description used for age of debt.
• Details of developers’ contributions to 106 monies (Executive Director, Finance and Corporate Resources to provide further details).
• Process for the monitoring of investments

The Executive Director, Finance and Corporate Resources informed the Board that in future, where there was areas of concern in the Finance and Monitoring Report the relevant Heads of Services would be asked to attend to discuss any concerns raised by Members.  After further discussion it was

RESOLVED that the current financial position for Revenue and Capital as detailed in the report be noted, subject to the requests for further information as detailed in the preamble above.