STATEMENT OF DECISIONS MADE AT A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD

                                                                           HELD ON 25^TH JUNE 2008

PRESENT:

Councillor John Hammond                           (Leader of the Council – in the Chair)

Councillor Graham Fenton                           (Portfolio Holder for Finance)

Councillor John Hatfield                               (Portfolio Holder for Human Resources)

Councillor Margaret Hollins                          (Portfolio Holder for Planning)

Councillor Margaret Simon                           (Portfolio Holder for Customers)

Councillor Ray Westwood                            (Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhoods)

NON-BOARD MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE:

Councillor A Richardson

OFFICERS IN ATTENDANCE:

Paul Ancell                                                 (Chief Executive)

Jenny Cross                                                (Executive Director, Treasury and Corporate Support) 

Paul Goodwin                                              (Assistant Director – Accountancy and Audit)

Chris Henshall                                             (Borough Solicitor) 

Diane Moulson                                             (Democratic Services Officer)

NOTE: The following Decisions should be read in conjunction with the corresponding reports which accompanied the Board Agenda issued on 17^th June 2008.  The agenda and reports are available on the Council’s Internet Website. http://www.crewe-nantwich.gov.uk/your_council/board/agendas_and_decisions.aspx

16.       DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Councillors Hammond, Hollins, Simon and Westwood declared a personal interest in item 3 (Transitional Costs) on the basis of their membership of Cheshire East (Shadow) Council.

Although not a member of the Board, Councillor Richardson also declared a personal interest in item 3 (Transitional Costs) on the basis of his membership of Cheshire East (Shadow) Council.

17.       FINANCIAL OUT-TURN AND STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS 2007/08

The Board considered the report of Councillor Graham Fenton, Portfolio Holder for Finance.

The report contained a summary of out-turn against revised estimates for each portfolio together with a brief narrative on the main variances for 2007/08. 

The Statement of Accounts 2007/08 was also submitted for consideration.  The Board was invited to recommend approval of the document to Council on 25^th June 2008, prior to the audit of the Accounts during July-August 2008,   the Assistant Director, Accountancy and Audit reporting that the public inspection period would conclude on 15 August 2008.

DECISION:

That the Financial Out-turn report for 2007/08 be received. 

RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL:

That the Statement of Accounts 2007/08 be approved.   

Alternative Options:

None considered.

Reasons for the Decision:

(a)               The Financial Out-turn report provides electors, Members of the Council, employees and other interested parties with clear information about the authority’s finances and financial position.   

(b)              The Statement of Accounts 2007/08 requires approval by Council before 30^th June 2008 in accordance with Regulation 10(3)(a) and 10(5) of the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2003.

(c)               The Statement of Accounts 2007/08 has been prepared in accordance with the Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting in the United Kingdom – A Statement of Recommended Practice 2007 (the SORP).

18.       TRANSITIONAL COSTS

The Board considered the report of Councillor Graham Fenton, Portfolio Holder for Finance.

The Cheshire Structural Changes Order had placed responsibility for funding transitional costs incurred in the lead up year to the creation of a Cheshire East authority and Cheshire West and Chester authority on the seven outgoing Councils (Cheshire County Council, Chester City Council, Congleton Borough Council, Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council, Ellesmere Port and   Neston Borough Council,             Macclesfield Borough Council and Vale Royal Borough Council).       

A report on the funding of such costs had been considered by the Shadow Executive of Cheshire East Council on 16 June 2008.  The Board was invited to recommend to Council a proposed budget, set out in appendix B of the report submitted, which would enable the authority to fund its share of the costs (15.9%). 

The report also sought delegated authority for the Executive Director Treasury and Corporate Support in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance to approve variations to the budget in the event of unforeseen costs arising during the transition period.                       

RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL:

A)        That funding for Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council’s share of Transitional Costs, as set out in Appendix B of the report, financed from the General Fund Reserve be approved: and

B)        That delegated authority to agree variations be granted to the Executive Director Treasury and Corporate Support in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance.          

            Alternative Options:         

            None considered. 

            Reasons for the Decision:

(a)       The Structural Changes Order requires costs to be shared across all   seven existing authorities and it is important to apply a fair and balanced approach consistently across East and West Cheshire.       

(b)       Should the Council not agree to the proposals, the matter would need to be decided by the Government via an appointed arbiter the outcome of which may not be as favourable.                 

(c)       As some transitional costs are not yet clear, reasonable adjustments to           the figures may yet be required which can be achieved via the      delegation sought. 

            …………………………….. Signed