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42      (42)    BUDGET TRANSFERS (VIREMENTS) 2016-17 – The Director of Policy and Resources submitted a report which sought approval for changes to revenue and capital budgets for 2016-17 as part of the council’s policy of active budget management.

On 23 February 2016, council approved the revenue and capital budgets for the 2016/17 financial year.  The report gave details of virements that required Cabinet Member approval.

Resolved – That the virements at paragraph 3.1 of the report be approved.

43      (43)    PROFESSIONAL SERVICES USAGE – QUARTER 3 2016/17 – The Director of Policy and Resources submitted a report to advise on the consultancy usage for Quarter 3 of 2016/17.  The report highlighted the consultancy usage to support major projects within North Lincolnshire and to advise on the overall effectiveness.

The protocol for managing consultancy was introduced 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.  This reporting requirement was formally adopted as part of the council’s updated contract procedure rules in May 2012.

It was widely recognised that the provision of specialist expert advice was essential for the successful delivery of major projects and effective management of potentially high cost risk exposure.  Examples of major council projects requiring specialist advice included:

Building Schools for the Future

University Technical College (UTC)

Waste Treatment

Capital Programme

Lincolnshire Lakes

For the purpose of the report the term “professional services” was used to describe the procurement of highly specialised subject matter expertise which the council did not possess in-house or where an independent opinion was required.  Examples included specialist environmental surveys, technical analysis and advice on essential legal requirements such as Construction Design and Management (CDM) regulation compliance.

Resolved – That the findings set out in the report for Quarter 3 in 2016/17 be noted.

44      (44)    SCUNTHORPE EASTER FAIR – The Director of Operations submitted a report that sought permission for the use of the Carlton Street car park for the Easter Fair.

For a number of years a travelling pleasure fair had visited Scunthorpe each Easter.  On most occasions, the fair had occupied the surface car park in Carlton Street, Scunthorpe.

On these occasions, the council had agreed to suspend the use of the car park.  The council had entered into a legal agreement with the operator of the fair and the layout of the fair had been approved by the council’s health and safety section.

The council had received a request from the operator of the fair to once again make use of the car park between 9 April 2017 and 23 April 2017.

Resolved – That the temporary closure of part of the Carlton Street pay and display car park, from 9 April 2017 to 23 April 2017, for the purpose of accommodating the Easter Fair be approved.