Agenda item

The Committee considered the end of year Revenue and Capital Budget Monitoring Report as at 31^st March 2018 in respect of 2017/18 financial year. 

The report provided members with budget monitoring information for the Environment Service, Public Protection Service and the Community Safety Service and considered the budgetary position.  In summary, the revenue budget for the services within the Environment and Public Protection Scrutiny remit were forecasting a £113k underspend. 

Whereas, the main variances on capital schemes showed a forecasted net spend of £8,107k compared with a working net budget of £11,987k giving a £-3,880k variance.

The following issues were raised during consideration of the report:-

• It was asked, why there was an underspend relating to a number of categories under Highways and Transportation?  The Group Accountant stated that a restructuring exercise was currently underway.  The Highways and Transportation Manager added that recruitment of the Assistant Structures Engineer position was currently in hand and that recently a Countryside Access Officer had been appointed. In response to a further query, the Highways and Transportation Manager explained that recruitment would be carried out on a ‘tier by tier’ basis and it was hoped that the Service Managers’ tier would be in place within the next 3 months.
  
  
• In relation to the Towy Valley Path, it was asked, if the actual final cost of the Path was available?  The Transport Strategy and Infrastructure Manager stated that due to a number of differing eventualities such as the cost of land and the unknown aspect of the mitigation costs, it was difficult to provide an actual final cost at this stage. However, reassurance was provided that the global cost included land and mitigation.
  
  

In response to a query regarding the maintenance costs of the path, the Transport Strategy and Infrastructure Manager stated that the maintenance model had not yet been finalised.

In response to a further query, the Transport Strategy and Infrastructure Manager stated that the progress of the scheme was constrained by the availability of land, this in turn dictated the order of which each section of path could be constructed.

• It was asked, what was the situation with properties that have been devalued as a result of the Cross Hands Link Road and was there any update regarding compensation?  The Transport Strategy and Infrastructure Manager explained the Land Compensation Act 1974 which sets out the process for claims.  However, should any issues arise during the construction phase, the Highways Department would be able to assist.

• In response to a query raised regarding the additional demand for School Crossing Patrols, the Highways and Transportation Manager explained that the School Crossing Patrol was an area currently being reviewed and that advice on a national level was being sought.
  
  
• It was queried why there had been a reduction in the quality of amenity cuts around the gateways of towns and villages. As an example, it was raised that the gateway into Carmarthen Town had been left unsightly due to a poor quality maintenance cut and clearance.  It was felt that the in general the maintenance of the gateways of towns and villages had been neglected and should be restored in order to provide a display of pride to the area.  The Highways and Transportation Manager stated that he would be happy to arrange a site meeting where issues regarding quality of amenity cuts was a concern.
  
  

Arising from the above, it was suggested that it may be beneficial for the Committee to receive a presentation on the Authority’s approach to amenity grass cutting at a future meeting.  The Committee agreed to the suggestion and the Highways and Transportation Manager stated that he would arrange for a presentation to be provided.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the report be received.