Issue - meetings

Councillor Eamonn O’Brien will report at the meeting.  Report attached.

Councillor O’Brien, Cabinet Member for Finance and Housing presented a report informing Members of the Council’s financial position for the period April 2019 to June 2019 and projects the estimated outturn at the end of 2019/2020.

Those present were given the opportunity to ask questions and make comments and the following points were raised:-

·         Councillor Walker referred to 4.1.3 of the report and the use of the term ‘Demographic Pressures’, Councillor Walker asked for this to be explained.

Councillor O’Brien explained that there were a larger number of older people in Bury than was average and a larger number of younger people in Bury than was average as well as a high proportion of people with disabilities.

Mike Woodhead explained that the locality plan that was produced jointly between the Council and the CCG showed in the service user level that 80% of the costs related to 20% of users.

·         Councillor N Jones referred to the Council Tax Recovery Team and asked what the level of recovery was.

Councillor O’Brien reported that the team had an additional 2 staff members which had seen a return of seven times their salaries which equated to £5000 per hour worked. In total the amount collected was £800,000.

Councillor O’Brien explained that the Council were currently reviewing the potential for further staff within the team, although pointed out that there would be a critical point when increased staffing would not generate the same proportion of return.

Councillor N Jones asked that it be recorded that the work of the team be commended.

·         Councillor Caserta referred to the announcement that TfGM would be charging for travel passes for older people and asked how this scheme would work.

Councillor O’Brien stated that he wasn’t sure of the details but it was felt to be the most equitable way forward.

·         Councillor Walker stated that he hadn’t received any information in relation to the question he had asked about Capital receipts from the sale of assets and asked that this information be provided.

·         Councillor N Jones explained that he had asked a question relating to a breakdown of the Council’s investment properties and asked that this information also be provided.

It was agreed:

That the contents of the report be noted and information provided to Cllr Walker and Cllr Jones as previously agreed.

Councillor Eamonn O’Brien will report at the meeting.  Report attached.

The Leader and Cabinet Chair, submitted the Cabinet Financial monitoring report.  The report informs Members of the Council’s financial position for the period April 2019 to June 2019 and projects the estimated outturn at the end of 2019/20.

The report also includes Prudential Indicators in accordance with CIPFA’s Prudential Code.

Projections are based on current trends, information, and professional judgement from service managers and finance staff. The revenue budget projections highlight the fact that budget pressures exist in some key areas and it will be necessary to continue to maintain the high level of scrutiny, control and support around the Budget Recovery Boards and to further develop the savings pipeline.  The projected overspend of £0.996m represents approximately 0.7% of the total net budget of £138.862m. 

Delegated decisions:

Cabinet agrees to:

Note the projected financial position of the Council as at 30 June 2019.

Reason for the decision:

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 prudent forecasts, several budget hotspots exist which will need remedial action.

Members and officers will be examining these areas in more detail at the joint JET / Cabinet meetings as well as at the themed Budget Recovery Boards.