Agenda Item No

The Vale of Glamorgan Council

Scrutiny Committee (Lifelong Learning) 27th July 2009

Report from the Director of Learning and Development.

Revenue and Capital Monitoring for the period 1st April 2009 to 31st May 2009

Purpose of the Report

1.      To bring to the attention of this Scrutiny Committee, the position in respect of revenue and capital expenditure for the period 1st April 2009 to 31st May 2009 regarding those revenue and capital budgets, which form this Committee’s remit.

Recommendations

1.      It is recommended that the Scrutiny Committee note the position with regard to the 2009/10 revenue and capital monitoring

Reasons for the Recommendations

1.      That members are aware of the position with regard to the 2009/10 revenue and capital monitoring relevant to this scrutiny committee.

Background

2.      Council on 4th March 2009 (minute no.844 and 843) approved the Revenue Budget and Capital Programme for 2009/2010. 

Relevant Issues and Options

3.      The Revenue Budget and projected outturn for 2009/2010 is shown in Appendix 1. The current forecast for this Directorate is for a balanced budget.

4.      Schools – The delegated budget relating to schools is expected to balance as any under/overspend is carried forward by schools.

5.      Education Service – Overall, the Education budget is projected to balance as at the end of March 2010. Any savings identified between now and the end of the year will be available to re-direct in to the School Investment Strategy or other reserves.

6.      Grant Related Expenditure - Schools also have access to the following Welsh Assembly Funded grants; A Support for Induction grant £7,034 for LEA assessment and quality assurance of newly qualified Teachers; School Uniform Grant Scheme to assist families on low incomes with the purchase of school uniform for children entering year 7 of secondary education. Allocated sum of £3,805 for administration costs and £20,200 indicative grant available for eligible pupils; Foundation Phase Pilot and Early Start funding is available for the pilot schools, Holton Primary, Cadoxton Nursery and Cadoxton Primary. The amount available from April 2009 to March 2010 is £164,404; Developing Thinking and Assessment for Learning grant of £21,000 to deliver a step change improvement in learner's engagement and attainment. This grant is match funded by the LEA in advisory time. Details of any other grants which have not yet been confirmed will be reported in subsequent monitoring reports.

7.      Libraries - This service is anticipated to outturn on target.

8.      Lifelong Learning –Currently this service is also anticipated to outturn on budget.

9.      Catering – Also anticipated to outturn on budget, however the service can be affected by external factors such as legislation and weather conditions. The budget will continue to be closely monitored and any variations reported to future meetings.

Capital Programme 2009/2010

10.    Appendix 2 details financial progress on the Capital Programme as at 31st May 2009.

11.    Early Years Capital Grant - - the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) have approved a capital grant of £148,000 towards the delivery of the Foundation Phase initiative in order to improve the quality of existing schools and develop outdoor learning areas.  A schedule of works has been established in order to meet the criteria of the grant, such as external doors and safety fencing. Works are scheduled for the 2009 summer holidays and a full spend of the grant is anticipated before the end of the financial year. Cabinet have been requested to approve the increase of the Capital Programme by £148,000 in order to reflect this additional funding.

12.    Appendix 3 provides non-financial information on capital schemes with a budget of over £100,000. Where a budget shown in Appendix 2 is more than £100,000 but is made up of several schemes that individually are less than £100,000, the scheme is not included in Appendix 3.

Resource Implications (Financial and Employment)

13.    As detailed in the body of the report.

Legal Implications (to Include Human Rights Implications)

14.    None

Crime and Disorder Implications

15.    None

Equal Opportunities Implications (to include Welsh Language issues)

16.    There are no equal opportunity implications.

Corporate/Service Objectives

17.    Effective monitoring assists in the provision of accurate and timely information to officers and members and in particular allows services to better manage their resources.

Policy Framework and Budget

18.    The report is in accordance with the Policy Framework and Budget.

Consultation (including Ward Member Consultation)

19.    The appropriate Chief Officer has been consulted. This report does not require Ward Member consultation

Background Papers

None

Contact Officer

Sian Keen (Senior Group Accountant) (01446 709255)

Officers Consulted

Director of Learning and Development

Responsible Officer:

Bryan Jeffreys  Director of Learning and Development