URL: https://democracy.northdevon.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=4644

Decision Maker: Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee, Council

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose:

Content: The Committee considered a report by the Director of Resources and Deputy Chief Executive (circulated previously) regarding the Financial Management report for quarter 1 of 2026/27.   The Finance Manager presented the report to the Committee and advised that since the publication of the report, the national pay award for 2026/27 had been confirmed at 3.3%.  3% had been included in the original budget and the additional £60,000 would be funded from the Budget Management reserve and included as part of the Q2 Financial Management report.   In response to questions from the Committee, the Director of Resources and Deputy Chief Executive advised the following:   The forecast that the Trade Waste Service would generate a net budget surplus of £122,000 was positive.  The service was now generating favourable returns.  When the decision was taken by the Strategy and Resources Committee to retain the Trade Waste service, the charges had been increased by 46%.  These increased charges were still considerably less than quoted by other alternative providers.  It had been presumed that the Council would lose a number of its customers, however the Trade Waste team had worked hard to retain the customer base. The Strategic Contingency Reserve was a reserve for one off items only.  Additional funds had not been placed in the Reserve for a number of years.  The Street Marshall Scheme had been funded through this reserve for 2026-27.  At the end of the last financial year, additional funding had not been placed in the Strategic Contingency Reserve and had been placed in the Town Centres reserve instead.  The Night Bus scheme was a multi agency scheme and if it continued, then consideration would need to be given as to how it would be funded in the future.   RESOLVED that the recommendations be endorsed and recommended to the Strategy and Resources Committee for approval.  

Date of Decision: September 3, 2026