Issue - meetings

Mr Green presented the First Quarter Budget Monitoring report to the Committee. The Committee noted that there was an overall revenue underspend, but this was expected to decrease by the end of the year and the Council was expected to remain within its overall agreed budget for the year. There had been slippage in the spending of capital budgets due to delays in work on the Council’s Housing Developments at Union Street and Brunswick Street as well as the works on the Mote Park Lake Dam. The Committee were recommended to note the report and to approve the Business Rates write offs outlined in the report.

Mr Green explained to the Committee that improvements to the bus station at the Mall had been submitted as Maidstone Borough Council’s project to the 100% Business Rates Retention Pilot Housing & Commercial Growth Fund.

In response to a question from the Committee, Mr McGinnes explained that the business rates department were proactive in seeking to recover unpaid business rates. However, often when a business folds their premises remain empty and debt accrues while the company is in the process of being wound up. This was why some of the debts recommended for write off could span several years.

RESOLVED:

1.  That the revenue position at the end of the first quarter and the actions being taken or proposed to improve the position, where significant variances have been identified, be noted.

2.  That the capital position at the end of the first quarter is noted.

3.  That the performance of the collection fund and the estimated level of balances at the year-end is noted.

4.  That the write-off unpaid business rates as set out in Appendix 1 is approved.

5.  That the performance in relation to the treasury management strategy for the first quarter of 2018/19 is noted.

Voting: Unanimous