Agenda item

[To report on the Council’s revenue outturn position for 2020-2021 compared with approved budgets and targets][report to follow]

1.     That the write-off of; three non-domestic rates totalling £40,561.68 and three sundry debts totalling £24,289.91 as detailed in Appendices 4 and 5 respectively to the report be approved.

2.     That six virements totalling £39.3 million, for transfer within directorates, as detailed in Appendix 6 to the report be approved.

3.     That it be noted that the Council has once again managed its money well and delivered within budget - despite hugely challenging circumstances.  Overall, the revenue outturn position for 2020-2021 is a net contribution to the General Fund balance of £651,000, after meeting the net cost of redundancy and pension strain and contributions to essential earmarked reserves. 

4.     That it be noted that the Housing Revenue Account revenue outturn position for the year was a surplus before allocations of £11.9 million, compared to a budgeted surplus of £10.8 million.

5.     That it be noted that the capital programme has achieved an outturn position of £72.7 million for the General Fund and £46.8 million for the Housing Revenue Account (HRA).  A summary of the outturn is detailed in section 10 of the report.  A full detailed report on the Capital Outturn 2020-2021 including Quarter One Capital Monitoring 2021-2022 would be reported to Cabinet on 7 July 2021.

6.     That it be noted that 28 non-domestic rates accounts totalling £172,842.85 have been approved for write off by the Director of Finance in accordance with the Council’s Financial Procedure Rules.

7.     That it be noted that 807 council tax accounts totalling £166,958.14 have been approved for write off by the Director of Finance in accordance with the Council’s Financial Procedure Rules.

8.     That it be noted that 48 sundry debt accounts totalling £28,170.43 have been approved for write off by the Director of Finance in accordance with the Council’s Financial Procedure Rules.

9.     That it be noted that 15 housing benefit debt accounts totalling £5,769.48 have been approved for write off by the Director of Finance in accordance with the Council’s Financial Procedure Rules.

Councillor Ian Brookfield presented the report on the Council’s outturn position for 2020-2021 compared with approved budgets and targets. He reported that from a budget of £248.2 million, at the end of the year there was a small budget surplus of 0.26%. That would help the Council going forward with any budget issues.

Cabinet placed on record its sincerest thanks to the previous Cabinet Member for Resources, former Councillor Louise Miles who along with the Controlling Group, Directors and officers of the Council, was instrumental in delivering the balanced budget.  She was also thanked for everything she has done for the City and the Council.

Cabinet also noted that while the Government had funded council’s to address the Covid emergency, the funds merely replaced lost income from many service areas including car parks, leisure centres that were not open, and rental income from the markets that were also unable to open during the pandemic. The balance budget was a testament to all the hard work of the Council.

Resolved:

1.    That the write-off of; three non-domestic rates totalling £40,561.68 and three sundry debts totalling £24,289.91 as detailed in Appendices 4 and 5 respectively to the report be approved.

2.    That six virements totalling £39.3 million, for transfer within directorates, as detailed in Appendix 6 to the report be approved.

3.    That it be noted that the Council has once again managed its money well and delivered within budget - despite hugely challenging circumstances.  Overall, the revenue outturn position for 2020-2021 is a net contribution to the General Fund balance of £651,000, after meeting the net cost of redundancy and pension strain and contributions to essential earmarked reserves. 

4.    That it be noted that the Housing Revenue Account revenue outturn position for the year was a surplus before allocations of £11.9 million, compared to a budgeted surplus of £10.8 million.

5.    That it be noted that the capital programme has achieved an outturn position of £72.7 million for the General Fund and £46.8 million for the Housing Revenue Account (HRA).  A summary of the outturn is detailed in section 10 of the report.  A full detailed report on the Capital Outturn 2020-2021 including Quarter One Capital Monitoring 2021-2022 would be reported to Cabinet on 7 July 2021.

6.    That it be noted that 28 non-domestic rates accounts totalling £172,842.85 have been approved for write off by the Director of Finance in accordance with the Council’s Financial Procedure Rules.

7.    That it be noted that 807 council tax accounts totalling £166,958.14 have been approved for write off by the Director of Finance in accordance with the Council’s Financial Procedure Rules.

8.    That it be noted that 48 sundry debt accounts totalling £28,170.43 have been approved for write off by the Director of Finance in accordance with the Council’s Financial Procedure Rules.

9.    That it be noted that 15 housing benefit debt accounts totalling £5,769.48 have been approved for write off by the Director of Finance in accordance with the Council’s Financial Procedure Rules.