Issue - meetings

(To receive a report from the Executive Director – Resources which invites the Executive to note the current position on the capital programme)

That the current position on the capital programme be noted.

Consideration was given to a report presented by the Assistant Director – Finance on Capital Budget Monitoring, which provided an update on capital spending for quarter 1 of 2021-22, with explanation for any significant variations.

It was reported that an underspend of £26.913m was currently forecasted for the Block schemes and Project schemes, however, it was emphasised that this underspend was a reflection of slippage in timing and not a suggestion that they were underspending in terms of costs of the schemes.

It was requested whether there could be clarity in terms of the over and under spend figures set out in Appendix D – Capital Programme Detail for Selected Projects and Blocks as at 30 June 2021.  There was a suggestion that the narrative needed to be simplified.  The Assistant Director advised that the comments would be taken on board.

The Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board presented the comments from the Board's consideration of the report on 26 August 2021.   These included reference to the risks to the capital programme, the Spalding Western Relief Road underspend and if there was an opportunity to bring forward any other schemes to reduce this underspend, and the forecasted overspend on Highways Asset Protection.  However, it was acknowledged that this would be covered by a report seeking approval from the County Council for a further £10m to be added to the capital programme budget for highways.

RESOLVED

That the current position on the capital programme be noted.