Issue - meetings

Report of the Executive Director, Community and Children’s Services.

The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director, Community and Children’s Service, which set out  the original budget for 2023/24 and 2024/25 for revenue expenditure included within the service charge in respect of dwellings.

RESOLVED, that – approval of the provisional 2024/25 net £Nil revenue budget and its recommendation for submission to the Finance Committee  be delegated to the Town Clerk, in formal consultation with the Chair and Deputy Chair of the BRC, who would in turn exercise their own discretion and courtesy to consult the RCC.

Report of the Executive Director, Community and Children’s Services.

The Committee received a report of the Executive Director, Community and Children’s Services, which set out the original budget for 2023/24 and 2024/25 for revenue expenditure included within the service charge in respect of dwellings. The report noted that the actual amount charged to lessees would depend on the actual amount spent and the percentage set out in the individual leases.

The Chair presented the views of residents, noting their dissatisfaction in that the report had not been seen by the Service Charge Working Party and set out their concerns in that it appeared to show some discrepancies and lacked variance explanations.  They felt, therefore, that the BRC could not accept it in its current format, without a proper analysis, and given the complexity of the budgets.  

During the discussion the following points were noted:

1.      This is an annual report in the standard City of London Corporation format, showing budgets approved last year and charges to residents in June.  The variations are not far off of the approved budget, which had been considered by the Working Party and adjusted.  ‘Latest Approved Budget’ is the terminology used by the Chamberlain in the budget setting process. 

2.      Rents are down this year because some flats are empty.

3.      Chief Officers are responsible for budgetary control and approve virements  (in-year charges) on the nil balance.  The Executive Director gave assurance of Chief Officers’ obligations in terms of maintaining a very close budget.

4.      The most recent high level appointments had not been reflected, noting that 2 of the 3 are replacement of interims.   One of the appointments arose from an Altair recommendation in terms of contract management.  There was a significant number of agency staff this year, who are included, but they are expected to be replaced by fully employed staff in