Decision details

The Executive considered a report in respect of the 4^th Quarter Revenue Monitoring for 2020/21 with regard to the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account.

In response to a question, the Strategic Director (CF) undertook to advise Members of a likely timescale for the Council’s receipt of the Hertfordshire Business Rates Pooling Gain monies.

The Leader expressed disappointment that the external audit of the Council’s Statement of Accounts for 2019/20 had not yet been completed by the statutory deadline.  The Leader also highlighted the need for the Council to finalise its accounts for 2020/21 in order that the External Auditors could undertake their audit.  The Strategic Director commented that the audit of the 2019/20 accounts should be completed in the next few weeks.  In respect of the 2020/21 accounts, it was intended that these would be completed in late August/early September 2021.  However, she confirmed that the external auditor had confirmed that they would not be carrying out the audit until November 2021.  She added that this would be challenging resource-wise, as SBC Finance staff would be concentrating on 2022/23 Budget setting work at the same time.

It was RESOLVED:

General Fund

1.          That, subject to the 2020/21 audit of the Statement of Accounts, the 2020/21 actual General Fund net expenditure of £10.152Million be noted.

2.          That General Fund carry forward requests totalling £1.162Million (as set out in Paragraph 4.5.1 of the report) be approved.

Housing Revenue Account (HRA)

3.          That, subject to the 2020/21 audit of the Statement of Accounts, the 2020/21 actual in-year HRA surplus of £5.580Million be noted.

4.          That HRA carry forward requests totalling £378,000 (as set out in Paragraph 4.11.1 of the report) be approved.

Reason for Decision:  As contained in report.

Other Options considered:  As contained in report.