Decision details

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Resources and Leisure detailing any major changes in the overall General Fund Capital Programme since it was last reported on 17 September 2014.

This report also outlines the way in which the revised programme has been funded, reflecting the changes in availability and usage of capital resources.

To approve the changes to the General Fund Capital Programme as set out in Council recommendations (i) – (xii), set out below:

(i)  Approve the revised General Fund Capital Programme, which totals £101,932k (as detailed in paragraph 4) and the associated use of resources.

(ii)  Note the changes to the programme as summarised in Appendix 2 and described in detail in Appendix 3.

(iii)  Note the slippage and re-phasing as described in detail in Appendix 3.

(iv)  Note that the revised General Fund Capital Programme is based on prudent assumptions of future Government Grants to be received, and that announcements made as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review for 2015/16 and the provisional local government finance settlement have been appropriately reflected in the proposed programme presented for approval.

(v)  Note that additional temporary borrowing taken out in 2010/11 and 2011/12 due to cash flow issues, now totalling £3,650k is expected to be repaid by the end of 2016/17 when anticipated capital receipts are finally forecast to be received.

(vi)  Add a sum of £6,704k to the Environment & Transport capital programme in 2015/16 for the Highways & Bridges Programme to be funded from Council Resources (£2,600k capital receipts), Local Highways Maintenance grant (£1,704k), Borrowing (£1,900k) and Revenue (£500k from the On-Street reserve).

(vii)  Add a sum of £1,669k to the Environment & Transport capital programme in 2015/16 for the Integrated Transport Programme to be funded from Integrated Transport Block grant.

(viii)  Add a sum of £2,300k to the Leader’s capital programme in 2015/16 for the scheme set out in confidential Appendix 5.

(ix)  Add a sum of £240k to the Resources and Leisure (Leisure) capital programme in 2015/16 for the Bargate Monument repairs scheme to be funded from Council Resources (capital receipts). To give approval to spend up to this sum in 2015/16.

(x)  To note the current position regarding the Council’s Disposal programme as detailed in paragraph 21.

(xi)  Note the financial and project issues which are set out in paragraphs 28 to 33 and detailed in Appendix 3 for each Portfolio.

(xii)  Note that a review of the Council’s capital strategy has been undertaken as detailed in Appendix 6. 

The update of the Capital Programme is undertaken twice a year in accordance with Council Policy and is required to enable schemes in the programme to proceed and to approve additions and changes to the programme.

The update of the Capital Programme is undertaken within the resource constraints imposed on it.  No new schemes can be added unless specific additional resources are identified.  Alternative options for new capital spending are considered as part of the budget setting process in the light of the funding available and the overall financial position.