Agenda item

The Committee considered the Revenue and Capital Budget Monitoring Report in relation to the Environmental and Public Protection Scrutiny Committee services, which provided an update on the latest budgetary position as at 31^st August, 2020 in respect of the 2020/21 financial year.

The Executive Board Member for resources explained that the summary position for the Environmental and Public Protection Scrutiny Committee Services were projecting an overspend of £1,264K on the revenue budget.  The variances on capital schemes, detailed within the report, showed a forecasted net spend of £11,088k compared with a working net budget of £14,397k providing a variance of -£3,291K.  In addition, the budget included a new allocation of £74k from the Welsh Government for rights of way access improvements.

The Committee was advised by the Executive Board Member for Resources that the budget included a new allocation of £74k from the Welsh Government for rights of way access improvements.

A number of questions / observations were raised on the report. The main matters were as follows:

·       Reference was made to Appendix 2 of the report [page 63].  In response to a query raised in relation to the temporary vacant post within the Public Rights of Way department the Executive Board Member for Environment stated that this had become vacant due to a recent promotion and the process to fill the post would commence in the near future.

·       Reference was made to Appendix 2 of the report [page 61].  It was asked when the vacant posts within the Animal safety section would be filled?  The Head of Homes and Safer Communities stated that the process of filling the posts had commenced and following appointment the team would be up to full complement.

·       Reference was made to Appendix 2 of the report [page 62].  It was asked who funded the Dyfed Powys LRF Covid 19 Support 2020/21 Grant and was there potential of receiving this again next year?  The Group Accountant confirmed that the Dyfed Powys LRF Covid 19 Support Grant was funded by Welsh Government and would be seeking guidance from Welsh Government as to whether monies could be carried over to the next financial year depending on how much is spent during this financial year.

·       In response to a query in relation to future payments of PPE, Cleaning and Morgues the Executive Board Member stated that the Welsh Government would continue to fund all Covid-19 related matters, however it was emphasised that the future funding heavily depended on funds continuing to be received from the Central Government to Welsh Government. 

·       In relation to the School Crossing Patrols it was explained by the Executive Board Member that all school crossing patrol sites had been subject to health and safety risk assessments prior to schools restarting to ensure that they could operate safely with regard to Covid-19 and requirement for social distancing. The Head of Transportation and Highways reiterated that sites had been assessed with respect to Covid-19 and added that in accordance with budget efficiencies, risk assessments of sites had been undertaken and where a site did not meet National Safety Criteria the Patrol would not be replaced following retirement or officer leaving the Service.  Where that happens, the department would engage with the school in terms of whether there were other options which included considering volunteers.  However, the Head of Transportation and Highways indicated that some sites could be difficult to recruit even when payment is offered.

·       Reference was made to Appendix 2 of the report [page 69].  It was asked what the comment ‘offset variances in other areas’ meant relating to the Road Safety Improvement Schemes? The Head of Transportation and Highways clarified that there was £569k allocated for road safety capital and footway improvements, some of which was from match funding for the grants that had been received enabling a contribution to be made towards capital projects under other budget headings in the report to lever in greater value in terms of road safety outcomes. It was also pointed out that whilst there were challenges in delivering projects due to the Covid pandemic, it was planned to deliver the full programme of grant works.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the report be received.