Decisions

RESOLVED that:

(1)       the outturn position in respect of the 2024/25 financial year be noted.

(2)       the proposed carry forward of capital budgets detailed in Appendix 4 to the report, totalling £16.462m be approved.

REASONS FOR DECISION – During 2024/25 the Council managed its budget effectively securing a favourable financial position on net cost of services of £1.209m underspend despite a continuing challenging financial backdrop.  This underspend has meant that rather than having to call on reserves it has been possible to contribute £1.084m to the Resilience reserve at outturn from efficiencies identified during the year.

The Capital Programme saw progress on approved schemes during the 2024/25 financial year.  There were, however, a number of schemes which were work in progress and this required that the associated expenditure and funding be carried forward into the 2025/26 financial year.

OTHER OPTIONS CONSIDERED AND REJECTED – The financial outturn report for 2024/25 was primarily a factual report detailing the actual position compared to previously approved budgets, therefore there were no alternative options that needed to be considered.

This was not a Key Decision and so can be implemented with immediate effect by officers.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

REASONS FOR DECISION - The report summarises the financial position of the Council following the first quarter’s budget monitoring exercise for the General Fund, the Housing Revenue Account and Capital Programme.

OTHER OPTIONS CONSIDERED AND REJECTED - This report is concerned with monitoring the position against the Council’s previously approved budget. Accordingly, the report does not set out any options where a decision is required by Members.

This was not a Key Decision and so can be implemented with immediate effect by officers.

RESOLVED that the outturn position in respect of the 2024/25 financial year be noted.

REASONS FOR DECISION - The Council operated in line with its agreed Treasury Management Strategy during the 2024/25 financial year. This ensured that lending and borrowing arrangements were prudent and sustainable, minimising the risk of financial loss to the Council. Effective management of these arrangements ensured that interest costs during the year were minimised to assist the Council’s revenue position whilst interest receivable increased slightly above budget due to increased interest rates.

OTHER OPTIONS CONSIDERED AND REJECTED - This report was primarily a factual report detailing the actual position against the Council’s previously approved treasury management strategy. Accordingly, the report does not set out any options where a decision is required by Members.

This was not a Key Decision and so can be implemented with immediate effect by officers.

RESOLVED that:

(1)       Cabinet note and agree to the publication of the annual Complaints Performance and Service Improvement Report for Housing.

(2)       the governing body’s response to the report be publicised on the website.

(3)       Cabinet note and agree the publication of the Self Assessment against the Code.

REASONS FOR DECISION - To comply with legislation and the Housing Ombudsman’s regulatory requirements.  To ensure the complaints procedures were working in practice and compliant with the Code.  To ensure complaints were open and transparent to the public in line with legislation.

OTHER OPTIONS CONSIDERED AND REJECTED - Not to have a Self Assessment and annual Complaints Performance Service Improvement report, this was rejected as this would not comply with legislation.

This was not a Key Decision and so can be implemented with immediate effect by officers.