Contact: Anne Hibbert, (01962) 847533; [email protected]

1 Summary

1.1 This report is the last budget monitoring report for Policy and Resources for 2006/07. The final outturn will be reported to the Cabinet in June 2007.

1.2 At the end of February 2007 the outturn for Policy and Resources overall is forecast to exceed the cash limit by £142,000. As previously reported, the main pressures relate to Property and Regulatory Services and Coroners. Under-spends are forecast in respect of election expenses, corporate hospitality, Members' expenses, Treasurer's department, the audit fee and grants to voluntary organisations. In accordance with the County Council's financial management policies, any overspending at the year end would be expected to be carried forward to 2007/08. The treatment of over and under-spendings within the overall Policy and Resources budget will be considered when the final outturn is known.

1.3 Capital payments for the County Council for 2006/07 are forecast to be within the revised estimate of £192.7m reported to Cabinet on 9 February 2007. Capital receipts are forecast to be close to the revised target reported to Cabinet in February.

1.4 The following decisions are sought:

a) To note the current position on the monitoring of the revenue budget and capital programme.

b) To defer consideration of the treatment of over and under-spendings against the 2006/07 revised budget until the final outturn position is known.

c) To approve the carry forward of schemes in the 2006/07 capital programme that are not started by 31 March 2007, subject to the cost of the shemes being accommodated within the approved programme limit.

2 Reason(s)

2.1 Budget monitoring reports are submitted regularly to the Executive Member to review whether any action is required to deal with variations between planned and actual spending. The Policy and Resources revenue budget and capital programme includes financial resources for a range of direct services and for central services that support all other County Council services and as such contribute to each priority of the corporate strategy.

3 Other options considered and rejected: Not applicable.

4 Conflicts of interest declared by the decision maker or other Executive member consulted - none

5 Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - none

6 Reason(s) for the matter being dealt with if urgent - none

Approved by: Date:

Councillor T K Thornber

Executive Member for Policy and Resources Date: 5 April 2007