Decision details

The Finance and Assets Portfolio Holder presented a report updating the Capital Programme and Capital Re-profiling requests relating to 2021/22, which would enable efficient delivery of capital schemes during 2022/23. The report set out three requests for amendments to the Capital Programme, for each scheme, a full report would be brought to future meetings of the Cabinet to consider the proposal in accordance with the current Forward Plan. It was noted that approval was being sought at the Annual Meeting of the Council, which was required to amend the Capital Programme as each request was for more than £100,000.

The Finance and Assets Portfolio Holder highlighted the first request, which was in relation to Glass Panels along Aynam Road, Kendal. The report sought approval for an increase in the Council’s contribution towards the installation of the panels which would ensure the delivery of the Kendal Flood Alleviation Scheme. It was proposed that the additional costs were funded from the Cumbria Business Rate Pool reserve.

The second request set out in the report was regarding Section 106 (S106) Design Works at Stramongate, Kendal. The Finance and Assets Portfolio Holder informed Members that approval was sought to amend the Capital Programme to include expenditure of S106 monies, which had been received from the Sainsbury’s development on Shap Road, Kendal. Receipt of the S106 monies would assist in the delivery of a public realm project that had been designed to increase visitor footfall to Stramongate and increase the accessibility of the area for pedestrians and cyclists.

The Finance and Assets Portfolio Holder informed Members of the final request to amend the Capital Programme, which was in relation to the Grange Lido and requested an increase in the Capital Budget of £265,000, which was to be funded from the Cumbria Business Rate Pool reserve.

The Finance and Assets Portfolio Holder referred to the Capital Programme Re-profiling and informed Members that variations on spending in the Capital Programme reflected changes in the progress of individual schemes. Appendix 1 to the report highlighted the Capital Schemes in the 2021/22, which showed those Capital Schemes where expenditure varied from the approved Capital Programme. The total for re-profiling was £2.4 million at 4 April 2022, any further amendments would be reported as part of the 2021/22 outturn to Cabinet in June 2022 and Council in July 2022.

Members raised a query regarding the current fleet of Road Sweepers, the Director of Customer and Commercial Services agreed to provide a written response. Members went on to thank the Finance and Assets Portfolio Holder for his work on the Section 106 Design Works for Stramongate, Kendal.

Note – At this stage in the proceedings, Councillor Janette Jenkinson raised a non-pecuniary interest for transparency due to the fact that she was a Director of Ulverston Community Enterprises (UCE) and a trustee of Ulverston Coronation Hall.

Members sought reassurance over the funds which had been available for the Coronation Hall in Ulverston. The Finance and Assets Portfolio Holder informed Members that he was unable to make any comments on the plans of the new authorities for the Coronation Hall as this would be a decision for the new authority. He added that South Lakeland District Council had been investing considerably in Ulverston Community Enterprises and the Coronation Hall.

Following a request from Members, the Finance Lead Specialist (Section 151 Officer) undertook to provide a written response to members regarding the development at Cross-a-Moor.

The Finance Lead Specialist (Section 151 Officer) also clarified that regarding the S106 Design Works at Stramongate, Kendal, clarification was being sought in respect of the precise figures in relation to this matter – she outlined that there may be minor amendment to the figures stated, which it was anticipated would be within existing delegations within the Constitution to the Section 151 Officer to agree and so proposing to deal with any such amendment to the precise figures in the report under delegation.

RESOLVED – That

(1)        the capital programme requests set out in paragraphs 3.2 to 3.5 of the report be approved;

(2)        the re-profiling of expenditure and associated budgets for capital schemes between 2021/22 and 2022/23 in Appendix 1 approved by Cabinet on 13 April 2022 be noted; and

(3)        the revised Capital Programme at Appendix 2 be noted.