NOT FOR PUBLICATION

Appendix A to this report contains exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972

(applies to Appendix A)

Report to:

Executive

Date:

7 March 2024

Title:

Capital Programme Monitoring as at 31 January 2024

 

Portfolio Area:

 

Finance – Cllr Brazil

Wards Affected:

ALL

Urgent Decision:

N

Approval and clearance obtained:

Y

Author:

Clare Scotton

Pauline Henstock

Role:

Principal Accountant

Head of Finance Practice

Contact:

clare.scotton@swdevon.gov.uk 01803 861559

pauline.henstock@swdevon.gov.uk 01803 861377

 

 

RECOMMENDATION

That the Executive NOTES the:  

1)    content of the Capital Programme Monitoring Report;

 

 

1. Executive summary

 

1.1         The report advises Members of the financial position as at 31st January 2024 for the purposes of budget monitoring.

 

1.2         The monitoring of the capital programme at month 10 (end of January 24) has shown that all projects are within their existing budget approved by Members. £11,208,299 has been profiled into 2023/24 with the remaining budgets rolled forward into future years (Appendix A). The capital expenditure for the first 10 months of 2023/24 against the profiled capital budget is £8,291,336 (74.4% of the profiled budget of £11,140,456) as at the end of January 2024 as shown in Appendix A.

 

 

2. Background

 

2.1       The capital programme for 2023/24 was approved by Council on 16 February 2023 (59/22). This report provides an update on expenditure in the Capital Programme.

 

2.2       A new reporting process is in place and the narrative around capital

schemes previously included in this budget monitoring report will now be part of the Integrated Performance Management Update reports. The capital budget monitoring report will purely focus on capital expenditure against budget.

 

2.3       The total capital expenditure for the 2023-24 financial year (as at 31 January 2024) is £8,291,336. The largest items within the expenditure are £3.159million on the Local Authority Housing Fund (LAHF1 and LAHF2) and £1.228m on waste fleet replacement. In addition, £0.974m has been spent on Private Sector Renewal Grants (including Disabled Facilities Grants) and £1.29m on St Ann’s Chapel Housing Scheme.

 

2.4     The Government announced a second funding round from the Local Authority Housing Fund (LAHF 2). The South Hams total quota was for three properties. One can be used immediately for temporary accommodation whilst the other two will be offered to support Afghan families in the first instance. This was approved by Executive on 21 September 2023 (Minute E.19/23 refers).

 

 

 

 

3. S106 Deposits

 

3.1     The list of Section 106 planning contribution deposits are shown in Appendix B totalling £7,355,170 as at 31 January 2024. £493,881 has been spent on various projects and £1,457,359 is committed to capital schemes as at this date. A breakdown of these projects can be seen on Appendix B.

3.2     Some Section 106 Agreements have a clause within the agreement allowing the Council to use up to 5% of the total payments and contributions payable under the terms of the agreement, towards the costs of monitoring and assessing details.

 

4. Options available and consideration of risk

 

4.1       This is considered on a project by project basis as part of the project            appraisal document and initial business case for each capital project.

 

5.  Proposed Way Forward

 

5.1       This is considered on a project by project basis.

 

6. Implications

 

Implications

 

Relevant
to proposals
Y/N

Details and proposed measures to address

Legal/Governance

 

 

The capital programme relies on a variety of statutory powers which will vary from project-to-project.

 

Appendix A to this report contains information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information) and is therefore exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

 

The public interest in whether the information

should be made public has been

assessed and it is considered that the public

interest will be better served by not disclosing

the information.

 

Financial Implications to include reference to Value for Money

 

 

 

The monitoring of the capital programme at month 10 (end of Jan 24) has shown that all projects are within their budgets approved by Members (Appendix A).

 

£11,140,456 has been profiled into 2023/24

with the remaining budgets rolled forward into

future years. (Appendix A). The spend against

this profiled budget is £8,291,336 (74.4%) as at

the end of January 2024.

 

The regular monitoring of the Capital Programme ensures the Council has arrangements in place to secure economy, efficiency and effectiveness in its use of resources.

Risk

 

The Council demonstrates that capital investment contributes to corporate priorities, provides value for money and takes account of the revenue implications of the investment. Regular monitoring of the capital programme and consideration of new pressures enables Members to control the programme and secure appropriate mitigation where problems arise.

There is regular quarterly monitoring of the Capital Programme to Members where any cost overruns are identified at an early stage.

Supporting Corporate Strategy

 

The Capital Programme supports all of the thematic delivery plans within the ‘Better Lives for All’ strategy.

 

The Council has approved a Council Plan for

2024-25 onwards.

Climate Change - Carbon / Biodiversity Impact

 

 

 

The Council declared a Climate Change and Biodiversity Emergency on 25 July 2019 and a Climate Change Action Plan was presented to Council in December 2019.

 

The Council has approved a budget of £600,000 in the Climate Change Earmarked Reserve.

 

Further detail is set out in the Council’s ‘Better Lives for All’ strategy.

 

The Council has approved a Council Plan for

 2024-25 onwards.

Comprehensive Impact Assessment Implications

Equality and Diversity

 

 

This matter is assessed as part of each specific project.

Safeguarding

 

 

This matter is assessed as part of each specific project.

Community Safety, Crime and Disorder

 

This matter is assessed as part of each specific project.

Health, Safety and Wellbeing

 

This matter is assessed as part of each specific project.

Other implications

 

None

 

 

Supporting Information

 

Appendices:

Appendix A – Details of capital expenditure to 31st January 2024

Appendix B – Section 106 planning contribution Summary as at 31st January 2024

 

Background Papers:

None