Agenda, decisions and minutes

It was noted that David Forbes (County Finance Officer) was attending the meeting on behalf of Pete Moore (Executive Director of Finance and Public Protection).

There were no declarations of interest at this point in the meeting.

There were no announcements.

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 5 September 2017 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

(To receive a report from Pete Moore (Executive Director of Finance and Public Protection), which provides an update on spending compared with budgets for the financial year which started on 1 April 2017)

That the current position on the revenue and capital budgets be noted.

Consideration was given to a report from David Forbes (County Finance Officer), which provided an update on spending compared with budgets for the financial year which started on 1 April 2017.

The tables in the report had shown the actual income and expenditure for five months of the financial year 2017/18, along with the projections for spending and a comparison of the projections against the approved budgets.

The County Finance Officer advised the Executive:

·       Total Council revenue spending was predicted to be £7.098m less than the total budget (excluding the projected overspendings on School budgets);

·       Total revenue income was predicted to be £3.447m more than the total budget;

·       General reserves at the year-end were forecast to be within the 2.5% to 3.5% range and it was estimated to be at 3.5% of the total budget based on current spending; and

·       Net capital spending was projected to be on target at the end of the financial year 2017/18, subject to a review of the phasing of spend in the capital programme, planned to be undertaken in the Autumn of 2017.

The Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board advised the Executive that the report had been considered by the Board at its meeting on 28 September 2017.  The comments of the Board were circulated at the meeting for consideration. 

The Chairman highlighted the Board's concerns in relation to the increase in the number of 16-18 year olds entering care.  Further to this, it was noted that Children's Services was currently undertaking a review on Review for Readiness for Adult Life, which explored potential options to better support these young people.  It was noted that there were currently circa 25 looked after children, who had entered care and were accessing specialist out of county provision, with high levels of need and staffing levels.  The No Wrong Door initiative in North Yorkshire was cited as an example of a ground-breaking initiative to improve the chances of some of the most vulnerable and challenging young people and to reduce those ending up homeless or in the criminal system.  This initiative was being considered as part of the Review for Readiness for Adult Life.

In response to the Board's comments in relation to the Independent Living Fund, it was noted that the National Living Wage was currently forecasting £4.603m underspend.  However, after initial work had been undertaken during the financial year, it was anticipated that this would be less than what had been budgeted for.   It was noted that all of the necessary funds to cover the cost of the uplift had been allocated to Providers and the expectation was that providers were paying their employees at least national living wage.

RESOLVED

That the current position on the revenue and capital budgets be noted.

(To receive a report by Tony McArdle (Chief Executive), which seeks support for the proposed approach to the campaign for A Fair Deal for Lincolnshire)

That the approach, as detailed in the report, be approved and that further updates be provided as the campaign develops.

A report by Tony McArdle (Chief Executive) was considered, which provided information on the approach for the campaign on Lobbying for a Fair Funding Deal for Lincolnshire.

It was highlighted that the Government had committed to conducting a fairer funding review.  Depending upon how the Government's review proceeds, it had the potential to radically alter the funding profile for Lincolnshire local authorities.  The report outlined that the net revenue expenditure in Greater Lincolnshire in 2017/18 was £1.3bn.  On a per household basis, this worked out at 9% below the England average.

It was also highlighted that to bring Greater Lincolnshire in line with the England average for all areas, there was a funding gap of £116.2m in 2017/18.

At a recent meeting of the Greater Lincolnshire Leaders and Chief Executives, It was agreed to write an open letter for all MPs to sign, along with all ten Council leaders; both Police and Crime Commissioners; both University Vice-Chancellors; the Chair of the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership; Chamber of Commerce; the Federation of Small Businesses; and the Institute of Directors.  

It was noted that in support of the campaign, and to elicit as much publicity as possible, all leaders had agreed to write to their Parish Councils to invite their support and to encourage them to publicise it by way of parish magazines/newsletters.

RESOLVED

That the approach, as detailed in the report, be approved and that further updates be provided as the campaign develops.