Decision Log 035/2021 – General and Earmarked Reserves Strategy

Komisioneri i Policisë dhe Krimit për Surrey – Procesverbali i Vendimmarrjes

Report Title: General and Earmarked Reserves Strategy

Numri i vendimit: 35/2021

Author and Job Role: Kelvin Menon – Chief Financial Officer

Shenja mbrojtëse: ZYRTARE

Përmbledhja ekzekutive:

This report provides information on the Usable Reserves, the Strategy for setting the level of General Reserves as well as estimated balances up to 2024/25.

Sfond

Local authorities, including police bodies, are directed to have regard to the level of reserves when considering their budget requirement. Consequently, reserves are a recognised and intrinsic part of financial planning and budget setting. The assessment of ‘adequate’ and ‘necessary’ levels of reserves is a local decision for the PCC to determine. It is the responsibility of the Chief Finance Officer to advise the PCC on the appropriate level of reserves.

Revenue and Capital Reserves are an important resource for both day to day and medium term financial planning despite being one-off in nature. The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) consider that PCCs should establish reserves based on the advice of their chief finance officers, making their own judgements and considering all relevant local circumstances to assess the appropriate level of reserves and balances to be held.

All reserves are under the control and preserve of the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) and will remain so subject to some flexibility in respect of usable reserves.

Attached to this decision is a detailed report which provides further information on the Usable reserves including future projections.

Issues for Consideration

The PCC needs to ensure that sufficient usable reserves are maintained over the medium to longer term to ensure that future planned and unplanned expenditure i.e. emergency operations or one off events, can be funded without having a detrimental impact on normal day to day operational activities.

The paper (available on request) sets out the use and level of general, earmarked and capital reserves.

Financial Comments

The PCC’s policy is to maintain General Reserves at about 3% of Net Revenue Budget for the 4 year financial planning period. This is considered to be a reasonable level taking risks and other factors in to account.

Earmarked Reserves are maintained for specific purposes and these are detailed in the attached paper. These range from £11.4m to £6.1m over the Medium Term Strategy planning period as reserves are used and replaced.

Capital Reserves totalled £1.863m but these will be used during the year on a number of different projects. Any future capital expenditure will then need to be funded by borrowing, revenue, assets sales or grants.

Rekomandim:

The Police and Crime Commissioner is asked to approve the Reserves Strategy as attached.

Miratimi i Komisionerit të Policisë dhe Krimit

Unë e miratoj rekomandimin(et):

Nënshkrimi: Lisa Townsend (kopja e nënshkrimit të lagësht e disponueshme në OPCC)

Data: 19 gusht 2021

Të gjitha vendimet duhet të shtohen në regjistrin e vendimeve.

Fushat e shqyrtimit

këshillim

Nuk kërkohet

Implikimet financiare

These are set out in the attached paper (available on request)

juridik

These are set out in the attached paper (available on request)

Rreziqet

These are covered in the attached paper (available on request)

Barazia dhe diversiteti

Asnje

Rreziqet për të drejtat e njeriut

Asnje