The Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance introduced the report which set-out the revenue and capital projected outturn position for 2021/22 based on service activity up to the end of September 2021 and was collated from monitoring returns from budget managers. 

The Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance stated that the Council had prudently set-aside a contingency fund of £1.04million.  There were significant financial pressure coming from: the loss of car park revenue this year; having to sustain the cost of major planning application sites; and increased housing costs.  The Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing drew attention to page 151 on Appendix I of the report and the £286k required for compensation to bus companies from the Sittingbourne Town Centre project.  He stated that had been agreed by the previous administration in 2017 and considered it unfair for the Council to pay the full cost of this.  He called upon the Spirit of Sittingbourne to pay a reasonable share. 

The Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance reminded Members that the Council had received £198k compensation from the Government for losses in respect of fees and charges.  The Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance drew attention to paragraph 3.8 of the report which outlined funding required from the Covid Recovery Fund for The Swallows Leisure Centre roof and loss of income from The Swallows Leisure Centre and Sheppey Leisure Centre.   He advised that a top-up in funding for the Business Rates Economic Development Pool Reserve was required to meet the costs of the Master’s House, Sheerness refurbishment, and said that this funding would also assist the Council with its case for Levelling-up as it would be classed as match-funding.

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Planning drew attention to pages 152 and 153 of the report which he said demonstrated an “innovative and interventionist” approach by the Council to get things done.  He spoke about some of the positive work that the Council had achieved including: investing £70,000 in churchyard repairs; providing a Planning Enforcement Notice Register; and additional tree officer resource. 

The Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance outlined further positive work of the Council including improvements to: Barton’s Point, Minster Leas, Milton Creek, Sittingbourne and Oare Gunpowder Works, Faversham; public toilets; high street improvements; repairs to the clocktower, Sheerness; funding for Sheerness and Faversham pools; projects for deprived children; the Climate Emergency Business event; funding for Christmas events; Electric Vehicle Charging points; extra funding for play areas; trees and park benches; lighting for a rail footbridge; supporting the West Faversham Community Association;  the Cycling and Walking Initiative; supporting Kemsley Community Centre; Fuel and Poverty Outreach work; the Skate Park; and the Artesian Well were just a few of the projects supported by the Council’s Special Projects Fund and Improvement and Resilience Fund whilst still being able to balance the Council’s budget.

Resolved:

(1)  That the projected revenue overspend of £359,000 be noted.

(2)  That the additional funding from the Covid Recovery Fund towards two schemes as detailed in paragraph 3.8 of the report be approved.

(3)  That delegated authority be given to the Leader and the Director of Resources to top-up the Improvement & Resilience Fund as required from the Business Rates EconomicDevelopment Pool Reserve in order tomeet the costs of the development of the Master’s House.

(4)  That the changes to the capital funding as detailed in paragraph 3.13 of the report be approved.

(5)  That the capital expenditure of £2,533,419 as detailed in paragraph 3.14 and Appendix I Table 8 of the report be noted.

(6)  That the additional Government funding received by the Council in response to the coronavirus as detailed in paragraph 3.3 of the report be noted.

(7)  That the capital variances and their funding as detailed in paragraph 3.15 and Appendix I Table 8 of the report be approved.