northlincs.gov.uk

12 (12)  Virements 2012-2013 – The Director of Policy and Resources submitted a report seeking approval for changes to the revenue and capital budgets for 2012/13.

On 21 February 2012 Council approved the revenue and capital budgets for the 2012/2013 financial year.  The report gave details of virements approved by the Director of Policy and Resources under delegated powers and those that required Cabinet Member approval.

Resolved – (a) That the virements at paragraph 3.1 of the report, approved by the Director of Policy & Resources under delegated powers be noted, and (b) that the permanent virements outlined in paragraph 3.2 of the report be approved.

13 (13)  Consultant Usage  – Quarter 1 2012/2013 – The Director of Policy & Resources submitted a report to advise on the consultancy usage for the first quarter of 2012/2013, to highlight the consultancy usage to support major projects within North Lincolnshire and to advise on the overall effectiveness.

Cabinet had introduced a new protocol for the use of consultants as part of a package of cost management measures in 2011. The protocol required services to report their use of consultants on a quarterly basis for 2012/2013.  Following the introduction of the protocol, the council had benefited from a significant reduction in consultancy spend in the region of £1m during 2011/12. 

This report set out a summary of consultancy usage for Quarter 1 2012/2013 and during that period the council spent £134,377on consultancy services. This represented a reduction of c. £300k compared to the same period in 2011/12.  

The Director of Policy & Resources confirmed that following extensive consultation with all services, the report set out a summary of consultancy usage for quarter one 2012/2013, details of which were presented in Appendix A to the report.

Resolved – That the findings set out in the report for quarter one 2012/2013 be noted.