Cabinet consider recommendations from General Scrutiny Committee regarding the proposed capital programme realignment and recommend to council in year adjustments to the capital programme to allow the realignment of capital spend to priority flood projects that require the reallocation of budget.

(a)  the executive response to the recommendations of the general scrutiny committee at appendix 1 be approved, with an amendment that in the response to recommendation (a) the report will be provided to the general scrutiny committee rather than to Council.

(b)  having regard to the recommendations of general scrutiny committee, cabinet recommend to council in year adjustments to the capital programme set out in paragraph 11 below to allow realignment of capital spend to flood repair projects that require the allocation of budget within the programme budget of £4.027m as follows:

Fownhope Landslip Budget reduced from £1.565m to £0.510m

Fownhope Retaining Wall Collapse budget increased from £1m to £1.15m

Unallocated budget of £905k from combined Fownhope budgets remains as contingency for remaining flood works; and

(c)  The Cabinet member for infrastructure and transport is delegated authority (in consultation with the Section 151 officer) to realign the Whitney on Wye and/or the Various Damage site budgets as costs for these works are confirmed.

1.             Not to approve the proposed amendments. This is not recommended as:

a.     This would mean that sums certified as due for works that were required to complete the Fownhope repairs could not be paid. The council would be in breach of contract and have acted contrary to the requirements of the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996.

b.     It may not be possible to complete all remaining Priority Flood Repair Works.

2.             Not to seek a delegation to make the in-year amendments to the capital budget. This is not recommended as the re-alignment of the capital budget is within the overall programme budget envelope of the £4.027m allocated by Council for the repair of the Priority Flood Repair Works and therefore does not adversely impact on the council’s financial position.