Agenda item

To consider the report of the Interim Section 151 Officer, (copy enclosed).

The Committee considered the report of the Interim Section 151 Officer, seeking Members’ consideration of the Capital Project bids submitted for 2020 / 21 by Officers prior to the approval of the 2020 / 21 budget and updated Medium Term Financial Strategy in January 2020.

Members were reminded of the three groups into which each capital project bid (as set out in the report) had been categorised by Officers.  An update on the current capital reserves was provided including the monies proposed to support the current 2019 / 20 capital programme and those monies left for future years.  It was noted that any revenue consequences of the capital projects chosen would be included in the 2020 / 21 revenue budget.

Members discussed the Capital Projects bids submitted, in particular:

·                 Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) – A number of concerns were raised regarding this item, with reference made to the jet skis and harbour master’s boat owned by the Council.  It was felt that alternative, more cost-effective options to the proposed RIB should be looked into.  In response the Director of Service Delivery reported on the proposed use for the RIB, how the revenue budget for existing boats could be utilised in respect of maintenance and the qualifications / training any officer would require before they could operate the RIB.  He assured the Committee that if a more economic route could be identified it would.

·                 Dog / Rubbish Bins Prom Park – The Director of Service Delivery highlighted that litter was one of the areas where the Council received the highest number of complaints.  He assured Members that Officers had reviewed the costs relating to this item to ensure the best value and highlighted that this was a ‘Service Improvement’ item.

·                 Council office roof repairs – In response to a question regarding this item and a request for more information about the condition of the roof, the Director of Service Delivery suggested that it be removed from the list of capital projects and revisited.  If it could be demonstrated that it was ‘Essential’ or ‘Service Failure’ Officers could bring it back to Members.  The Interim Section 151 Officer also suggested that further information could be brought back to Members on the ‘Service Improvement’ Capital Project Bids at its next meeting where Members could then consider if an item was to form part of the capital programme or be removed from it altogether. 

·                 Toilet Provision Maldon and Heybridge Cemetery – In response to comments the Director of Service Delivery advised that these would provide basic facilities for customers as well as officers at these locations.

Councillor R H Siddall proposed that those Capital Project Bids categorised as ‘Essential’ be approved but those categorised ‘Service Improvement’ and ‘Service Failure’ not be approved but brought back to the next meeting of this Committee with additional information.  This proposal was duly seconded and upon a vote being taken was agreed.

RESOLVED

(i)              that the following Capital Project bids (classified as ‘Essential’) be included for consideration in the 2020 / 21 Capital Programme by the Council at its meeting in February 2020;

·                 Wood chipper;

·                 Rolling replacement Van;

·                 Play site resurfacing – WMCC and Hester Place;

·                 Toilet provision Maldon and Heybridge Cemetery;

·                 Waste Transfer Station Containers.

(ii)            that those Capital Project Bids classified as ‘Service Improvement’ and ‘Service Failure’ not be approved but brought back for consideration at the next meeting of this Committee (January 2020) with additional information.