Decision details

The Cabinet Member with the Resources Portfolio introduced the report of the Group Director of Operations and the Group Director of Services (previously circulated) providing a summary of the latest Capital resource and commitment position, to inform monitoring of the affordability and funding of the Council’s capital programme; an update on the current status of all construction projects currently being undertaken by the Council; and requesting that consideration be given to a number of changes to the programme.

The submitted report stated that the projected outturn of the current Capital Programme was £268.833m against an approved programme of £269.715m; the investment was delivering a wide range of improvements to the Council’s assets and services; the programme, including commitments, remained affordable within the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) for 2021/22 to 2024/25; the Council had 45 live projects, with an overall projected outturn value of £134.570m, the majority of which were running to time, cost and quality expectations, but were being monitored given the current pressures on resources in the construction sector nationally; and that the projects were managed either by the Council’s in-house management team, a Framework Partner or by Consultants source via an open/OJEU tender process.

Particular references were made at the meeting to the reasons for the delay in the refurbishment of the Crown Street Library; when the Rise Carr SEND project would be completed as the landscaping work was still on-going; and the delays caused to the Allington Way project by the market shortage in bricklayers.  The Cabinet Members with the Resources and the Local Services Portfolios responded thereon.

RESOLVED - (a)  That the status position on construction projects, as detailed in the submitted report, be noted.

(b)  That the projected capital expenditure and resources, as detailed in the submitted report, be noted.

(c)  That the review and final outturn of the scheme, as detailed in paragraph 19 of the submitted report, be noted.

(d)  That the adjustments to resources, as detailed in paragraph 24 of the submitted report, be approved.

REASONS - (a)  To inform Cabinet of the current status of construction projects.

(b)  To make Cabinet aware of the latest financial position of the Council.

(c)  To maintain effective management of resources.