Agenda item

Members are asked to bring with them to the meeting their copy of the draft budget circulated on 7 January 2009

(Mr N J D Chard, Cabinet Member for Finance, was present for this item)

(1)         Mr Austerberry introduced the Environment, Highways and Waste part of the Budget, highlighting the key elements in respect of proposed capital investment, and those impacting on the revenue budget.  He emphasised that next year’s budgets were being set against a very volatile economic climate and that the work of the Environment, Highways and Waste teams was very susceptible to changes in fluctuating oil prices.  Nevertheless significantly increased sums had been found to direct towards front-line highways maintenance, and investment provided towards greater energy efficiency of the street lighting stock. Mr Austerberry, Mr Hallett and Mr Ferrin answered a number of questions from Members.

(2)         Responding to a question from Mr Daley, Mr Hallett explained that income shown as coming from recyclables came from waste streams such as textiles and metals, which were still able to generate income.  The market for paper and plastics was currently less buoyant and therefore the ability to generate income was more limited.  Achieving the income targets would therefore need to be watched closely next year.

(3)         Mr Hallett explained to Mr Muckle how changes in the Highways Maintenance Budget in the Committee report related to headings in the Budget document, as resources redirected from service units had been shown centrally this year.  Mr Ferrin added that there had been a big redirection of funding this year.  He gave the example of capitalising buses, of which the IMG had not been in favour but which had freed up very useful revenue which could be diverted to Highways Maintenance. 

(4)         Mr Parker welcomed the extra investment in vegetation control and asked about the budget for the maintenance and replacement of street trees.  Mr Hallett explained that £870,000 had been allocated in the 2008/09 Budget for inspection and maintenance of street trees – NOTE: Mr Hallett has clarified this figure with KHS and he should have quoted £720k.  The difference is a management fee from Jacobs, which covered more than just tree maintenance. This non-tree maintenance management charge should have been removed from the figure quoted.  Mr Ferrin added that no funding had been identified for replacing street trees, although some would certainly be needed.  It was difficult, however, to identify how much would be needed.

(5)         Mr Daley welcomed the investment in the maintenance of street trees and said he was pleased to see the street scene being taken seriously.  He asked about the progress of a survey of street trees which he had been advised a while back was being carried out. Mr Ferrin reassured him that the survey was continuing.  There were surveys currently ongoing on several things; for example, street lighting, and he highlighted the complexity of undertaking such surveys.  For example, in the case of street lighting, it is necessary to identify the location of each light, to determine who is responsible for it (11,000 lights across Kent were not KCC’s responsibility) and the type of lamp it used. 

(6)         Mr King welcomed the increase in the Highways Maintenance Budget.  He then referred to recommendations made by the Flood Risk Select Committee and asked where in the Budget these would be covered.  Mr Ferrin explained that much discussion had gone on since the Select Committee had published its report a year ago about what would be covered by the duties of the dedicated Flood Risk Officer post proposed by the Select Committee and from where the budget for it would be drawn.  The post could be placed in Environment, Highways and Waste or in Emergency Planning.  A major flood risk consultation by the Environment Agency, ‘Thames 2100’, was due to start in April 2009 and the outcome of this would also need to be taken into account when setting the job specification for the new post.  Mr King commented that budget provision would have to be made regardless of where the post was to be placed.

(7)         Mr Hallett then introduced the Regeneration part of the Budget and highlighted key changes in the way in which the Budget headings had been presented this year.  He pointed out where savings made had allowed investment in other areas, for example, in apprentices, transport strategies, and the Supporting Kent Business project.

(8)         In response to a question, Mr Hallett advised Mr Manning that funding planned to be allocated in respect of the Open Golf Championship at Sandwichwould now appear in the budget for the 2010/11 financial year.

(9)         RESOLVED that the information contained in the Revenue and Capital Budget report and the Medium Term Financial Plan for Environment and Regeneration, and given in response to questions put by Members, be noted, along with the issues raised by the IMG and the portfolio holders’ written responses to them, which were appended to the Budget report.