Issue - meetings

The report of the Section 151 Officer

Mr A Wilson presented the report to Members. He advised Members that there was a net underspend of £197,446 and this was due to salary and FERIS savings. He highlighted that the report outlined various options for the use of the reserves totalling £200,896 following carry forwards and reminded them that it had been agreed in the past that a General Reserve of £50,000 be held for contingency purposes, leaving £150,896. He informed Members that table 3 of the report outlined items that would require attention during the year and therefore an earmarked reserve would require setting up and £106,400 would be put into it to fund the work. This included small ICT kit replacements, upgraded digital e-claims and e-change in circumstances and GDPR integration. He stated that this would leave £44,496 that could then be used to reduce future partner contributions.

Officers advised Members that some of the IT equipment that would need upgrading would be recording equipment for interviews that could be required as evidence in court cases.

Members felt that option 1 would be the preferred use of the reserves.

It was moved by Councillor J Hallam, seconded by Councillor R D Bayliss and

RESOLVED THAT:

1.    The financial performance of the Partnership be noted.

2.    Option 1 as set out in the recommendations of the report be approved for the use of the year-end reserves of £200,896.