Decision details

The Committee considered a report on the County Council's financial position as at the end of 2015/16.

It was noted that the County Council's final revenue outturn position was an underspend of £0.601m against an agreed cash limit budget of £726.675m. 

The County Council's 2015/16 capital spending (excluding City Deal and non LCC funded schemes) in the year was £150.877m, which equated to 58.1% of the approved programme. The remaining balance reflected slippage due to a number of different factors that were explained in Appendix 'A' to the report.

Whilst the overall position was more favourable than had been reported previously, it was stressed that this must be balanced by consideration of the significant pressures facing the Council in 2016/17 and beyond.

The Committee noted that work to rephase and reprofile the Capital Programme was on-going.  A further report would be presented to Cabinet in September 2016.

It was MOVED and SECONDED  "That the Executive Scrutiny Committee requests the Deputy Leader of the County Council to consider the possibility of revising the funding for the Capital Programme with regard to revenue contributions in order to make a bigger transfer into the transitional reserve."  Upon being put to the vote the motion was LOST.

In response to comments about the work being undertaken by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and the need for local authorities to be fully involved in discussions around the future provision and delivery of services across Lancashire, the Committee noted that public sector partners and agencies including all District Councils had been invited to attend a work shop to discuss the matter in October.  PwC were due to complete their report in September and the work shop would provide an opportunity for all partners to discuss the PwC report.

Resolved:  That the recommendations set out in the report to Cabinet be noted, and that no additional comments or suggested alternative recommendations be made.