Issue - meetings

(1)       Mr Wood presented a detailed monitoring report for the second quarter for the Chief Executive’s Directorate and the Financing Items budget.  The report  detailed  the forecast underspend of £0.620m. 

(2)      Members were then given the opportunity to ask questions or make comments on the quarterly monitoring report, which included the following issues:-

·        In response to questions on the resources to support IT, Mr Cockburn stated that it was important that investment matched demand and he would be putting a proposal to Cabinet for this.

·        In relation to the savings from the printer contract being realised within directorates and not ISG, where the target sits, Mr Wood explained that it would be a better solution in future if the savings target was not with ISG.

·         Mr Smyth suggested that if the Property Enterprise Fund 1 was being used for different purposes then this should be reflected in revised terms of reference. 

·        Mr Chard confirmed that some property disposals were being held back until the market improved.

·        A number of questions were asked on the Local Authority Business Growth Incentives Scheme (LABGI).  Mr Wood and Ms McMullan explained that the budget in 2008/09 had been set based on the amount that it was estimated KCC would receive.  However, due to legal challenges, this amount had been reduced and a final settlement figure was still awaited.

·        In relation to Democratic Services and resources to support the localism agenda, Mr Wood stated that since the report had been produced there was now an underspend on the Democratic Services budget and therefore not all of the money allocated for localism had been spent.  There were no new savings planned in Democratic Services.

·        Regarding the figures given for the price of oil, it was asked if consideration had been given to bulk purchasing.  Mr Chard stated that he had discussed this with Mr Harlock, and consideration was being given to using brokers to hedge the price.  It was important to take advantage of price reductions where possible.

(3)       RESOLVED that:-  (a) the projected outturn figures for the Directorate be noted; and (b) the terms of reference for the Enterprise Fund 1 be brought to a future meeting of the POC and consideration be given to whether any revision was necessary.