Agenda

The Finance Strategy was last approved by Members in December 2012, setting out the principles on which the strategy has been compiled, together with risks and other aspects of the financial management framework that the Crematorium operates in.

The attached report from the Treasurer encloses an updated Finance Strategy which provides added assurance to the Joint Committee and to the constituent authorities that sound and effective arrangements are in place to manage the Crematorium’s finances.

RECOMMENDED  (1) that the Finance Strategy 2014/15, attached as Appendix A to the report, be approved;

                               (2) that the Finance Strategy 2014/15 be sent to the four constituent authorities to note for their information.

The purpose of the attached report from the Treasurer isto set out the revenue budget and repairs and renewals programme for 2013/14 and 2014/15, together with a review of fees and charges. The revised capital works programme for 2013/14 and future years has also been included for consideration at Appendix E to the report.

RECOMMENDED (a)  That expenditure of £71,500 in 2014/15 to be financed from the repairs and renewals fund as detailed in Appendix D to the report be approved;

(b) That the capital works programme as detailed in

 Appendix E be approved;

(c) That the proposed charges as set out in

Appendices B and C to the report be approved from 1 April 2014;

                               (d) That the revenue account estimates as set out in Appendix A to the report be approved subject to the Joint Committee’s decisions in respect of recommendations a, b & c above;

                               (e) That the Joint Committee considers writing to the Leader of each constituent authority to advise them of the long term risk that the annual payment received from the Portchester Crematorium Joint Committee is likely to be reduced in 2015/16 and beyond.

At the meeting on the 23 September 2013, the Joint Committee approved and accepted the audited Annual Return for the financial year ended 31 March 2013.   The external auditors also provided an ‘Issues Arising’ report for the year ended 31 March 2013.

The attached report from the Treasurer sets out the matters raised within the Issues Arising report and details the action taken with regard to them, and any future action required.

RECOMMENDED (1) that the BDP LLP External Audit Issues Arising Report for the year ended 31 March 2013, attached as Appendix A to the Treasurer’s report, be noted;

                              (2) that the actions taken and required with regard to the Issues Arising Report be noted.

Before considering this item the Joint Committee will be asked to pass the following resolution –

RECOMMENDED that the public be excluded from the meeting during these items of business because it is likely that if members of the public were present there would be disclosure to them of ‘exempt information’ within paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

The Clerk will report following the Joint Committee’s decision at the meeting on the 23 September 2013.  

Before considering this item the Joint Committee will be asked to pass the following resolution –

RECOMMENDED that the public be excluded from the meeting during these items of business because it is likely that if members of the public were present there would be disclosure to them of ‘exempt information’ within paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

The purpose of the exempt report from the Clerk to the Joint Committee, in consultation with the Horticultural Consultant, is to advise members on the current position regarding the contract for the provision of horticultural and grounds maintenance services, following the Joint Committee’s decision on 23 September 2013.