Council considered a report from the Head of Financial Services and the Head of Business Improvement which updated Members on finance, risk and corporate performance matters as at 30 September 2019.

Councillor Turner, the Cabinet Member for Finance and Asset Management, presented the report.

During the debate on this item reference was made to the Jericho boatyard and Jericho Community Centre capital project.  At that point Councillors Brown and Hollingsworth each declared a financial interest which they considered to be prejudicial and left the chamber until the conclusion of the discussion on that particular topic.

Councillors Brown and Hollingsworth left the chamber.

Councillor Turner undertook to provide a written response in relation to the development of a business case for the potential purchase of the Jericho boatyard rather than investment in the Jericho Community Centre.

Councillors Brown and Hollingsworth returned to the chamber.

On his return to the chamber Councillor Hollingsworth responded to the question relating to cost increases for the Seacourt Park and Ride extension and made the point that “decking” had been ruled out on planning rather than financial grounds. He said that there was no proposal to remove coach parking spaces at Redbridge Park and Ride site but that members would be updated when the scheme details were available.

Councillor Turner provided clarification on what constituted a project change, project slippage and project re-profiling which was inevitable in such a large capital programme. He acknowledged that previously there had been an element of “optimism bias” in the capital programme but he now believed that there was greater rigour and challenge.

Councillor Turner moved the recommendations, which were agreed on being seconded and put to the vote.

Council resolved to:

1.     Approve a virement of £0.500 million from Compulsory purchase of property (N7049) to Extensions & Major Adaptions (N7020) to cover the work of four extensions within the Housing Revenue Account Capital programme as set out in paragraph 10 of the report; and

2.     Approve the revised Capital Programme budget to be £59.962 million in line with the latest forecast following the major review carried out by officers.