Agenda item

With reference to article 6 of the minute of the previous meeting of 19 June 2014, the Committee had before it a report by the Chief Executive and Interim Director of Corporate Governance which provided details of the financial position for the Council for the financial year 2014/2015 and the values which reflected the actual position for the year.  The report also provided an overview of the year-end financial position and the provisions and reserves of the Council as at 31 March 2015.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       note the current final outturn for the various Council accounts for the financial year 2014/15, subject to committee approval;

(b)       approve the various transfers between Council accounts and earmarked sums for the General Fund, Housing Revenue Account and Common Good as at 31 March 2015 as detailed in paragraph 5.5.15 and 5.5.17 of the report;

(c)       approve the working balances of the General Fund, Housing Revenue Account and Common Good as detailed in paragraphs 5.5.16 and 5.5.18 of the report;

(d)       approve that in accordance with the relevant strategies to maintain revenue balances the Council’s objective of retaining recommended levels of uncommitted balances has been achieved; and

(e)       note that the unaudited Annual Accounts for 2014/15 will be presented to the Audit, Risk and Scrutiny Committee, along with the Annual Governance Statement and Remuneration Report at its meeting later this month.

The Convener, seconded by the Vice-Convener moved:-

(i)         that the recommendations contained in the report be approved subject to the funding allocations noted below:-

·               Auchmill Terrace (£25,000) – for work in the park

·               Cairncry Community Centre (£45,000)  for work in the park

·               Hallfield Road (£3,000) – for work in the park

·               Mens Shed Dyce (£10,000)

·               Hilton Outdoor Centre (£25,000)

·               Under 12 Clubs and Youth Work (£100,000) – for work in the seven regeneration areas

·               Seaton Park (£100,000)

·               Sea Cadets (£10,000) – for building  maintenance work

·               Old Torry Community Centre Flooring (£7,000)

·               Transition Extreme:  (£100,000)

·               Hazlehead Pets Corner Renovation and Expansion: (£100,000)

·               Duthie Park, David Welch Winter Gardens Education Room (£40,000)

            Total: £565,000

(ii)        to instruct officers to carry out a review of the Common Good Account, including all investments and expenditure, and put in place a strategy for the future management of this fund; 

(iii)       to instruct officers to bring forward options to the October meeting around the development of an up-to-date Anti-Poverty Strategy and Action Plan.

Councillor Yuill, seconded by Councillor Greig moved as an amendment:-

to approve the recommendations contained within the report and to use £500,000 of the underspend on road, pavement and street lighting maintenance.

On a division, there voted:- for the motion (14) – the Convener, the Vice-Convener and Councillors Allan, Cameron, Cormie, Dickson, Donnelly, Ironside, Laing, Milne, Noble, Reynolds, Taylor and Townson; for the amendment (2) Councillors Greig and Yuill.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)        to adopt the motion;

(ii)       to instruct officers to report back to the Committee in six months’ time (3 December 2015 meeting) with a progress update on the funding allocations of the projects at (i) above; and

(iii)      to thank officers for the work in managing the budget this year.