Issue - meetings

(a)       That the Committee supports the recommendations made in the Cabinet report for 20 November on the Revenue Budget Monitoring 2018/19 (Month 6) and confirms that there no other issues that it wishes to have raised at Cabinet; and

(b)       That the Committee notes the position on the Capital Programme 2018/19 (Month 6) and confirms that there are no issues which it wishes to have reported verbally to Cabinet.

The Corporate Finance Manager presented a report on the revenue budget monitoring position for the Council Fund and Housing Revenue Account (HRA), and the Capital Programme 2018/19 as at Month 6.  Both would be considered by Cabinet on 20 November 2018.

Revenue Budget Monitoring

On the Council Fund, the operating deficit had been reduced by £0.081m to £0.222m.  On the projected position of portfolios, an increase of £0.122m for Out of County Placements brought the in-year overspend to £1.585m.

It was estimated that 96% of overall planned efficiencies would be achieved by year end.

There was an update on the risks and impacts from school pressures in addition to notification that the additional funding for the teachers’ pay award would be included as part of the Settlement.

The balance on Contingency Reserves was projected to be £7.469m at year end.

There was no change on the HRA where in-year spend was projected to be £0.067m lower than budget, leaving a year-end balance of £1.165m.

In response to queries from Councillor Jones, clarification was given on the distribution of the education funding contribution from Welsh Government through the school funding formula.  The Chief Executive said that the position on car parking enforcement resources/overheads would form part of the review to be reported in December.

On the independent national inquiry into the handling of historic child sexual abuse claims, the Chief Officer (Governance) advised that costs were indicative at this stage, pending any further requests for information.  In response to a question from Councillor Gladys Healey, explanation was given on the legacy of responsibility for the Council as the successor authority.

On Out of County Placements, it was clarified that the decrease to costs for the Education & Youth element was £0.027m rather than £0.058m.

Capital Programme

A summary of changes to the programme during 2018/19 indicated a revised budget total of £70.289m mainly due to changes in spend profiles and confirmation of grant funding in-year.  Requests for carry-forward amounts totalling £2.246m were summarised in Table 3.

The overall funding position for the three year period showed a £8.577m shortfall prior to the realisation of additional capital receipts and/or other funding sources.

On the updated position for investment in county towns, Councillor Jones queried the breakdown of the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) programme areas shown in Table 7.  The Chief Executive said that information on the definition of those areas would be provided.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the Committee supports the recommendations made in the Cabinet report for 20 November on the Revenue Budget Monitoring 2018/19 (Month 6) and confirms that there no other issues that it wishes to have raised at Cabinet; and

(b)       That the Committee notes the position on the Capital Programme 2018/19 (Month 6) and confirms that there are no issues which it wishes to have reported verbally to Cabinet.