Issue - meetings

A report from the Cabinet Member Finance and Housing, Councillor O’Brien is attached.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Housing submitted a report setting out details of the Council’s financial position for the period April 2018 to June 2018 as well as the projected estimated outturn at the end of 2018-19.  The report also includes Prudential Indicators in accordance with the CIPFA’s Prudential Code.

Those present were invited to ask questions and the following issues were raised:

        In response to a Member’s question the Cabinet Member for Finance and Housing reported that the project overspend for this financial year is £3.176 million, this is lower than the same period last year.

        Responding to a member’s question with regards to the overspend within Children Young People and Culture; the Cabinet Member for Finance and Housing reported that the forecasted overspend is based on an assumption that the number of exclusions will reduce and there will be a significant reduction in out of borough placements.  

        The Interim Executive Director Resource and Regulation reported that the forecasted overspend within the Children Young People and Culture Department would only include predicted spend in relation to Looked after Children that are already known to children’s services.

        With regards to concerns raised in respect of Senior Officer recruitment, the use of consultants and the loss of front line staff; the Cabinet Member for Finance and Housing reported that there has been significant cuts to the senior leadership team in the last five years.  The £100 million cuts and reduction in senior leaders within the organisation has resulted in a loss of executive capacity and expertise to enable and deliver the required transformational and growth agenda.  The recruitment of additional senior leadership posts will allow for additional capacity and help to deliver on the transformation agenda.

        The Cabinet Member for Finance and Housing reported that the Council will need to be self-financing and solely reliant on Council Tax and business rates for its income by 2020.  Work streams have been developed to assess and understand what this will mean for the Council post 2020. 

        Members discussed joint working arrangements between the CCG and the Council, economies of scale and joint commissioning.  The Interim Executive Director, Resource and Regulation reported that by April 2019 the Council and the CCG will be one single commissioning entity, representatives from the CCG now attend the Council’s Senior Leadership team and jointly share building space.

It was agreed:

1.               Geoff Little, Chief Executive will be invited to attend the next meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee to discuss the recruitment to senior positions within the Council and the use of consultants/external advisors and other related matters.

2.              The Interim Executive Director, Resource and Regulation will provide members with further information with regards to the shortfalls in income relating to off-street parking.

A report from the Cabinet Member Finance and Housing, Councillor O’Brien is attached.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Housing submitted a report setting out details of the Council’s financial position for the period April 2018 to June 2018 and projects the estimated outturn at the end of 2018-19.  The report also includes Prudential Indicators in accordance with the CIPFA’s Prudential Code.

Delegated decisions:

Members agreed to note the financial position of the Council as at 30 June 2018.

Reason for the decision:

The report has been prepared in accordance with all relevant Codes of Practice. 

Successful budget monitoring provides early warning of potential major overspends or underspends against budgets which Members need to be aware of.

This report draws attention to the fact that, based on the most prudent of forecasts, several budget hotspots exist which will need remedial action.