Issue - meetings

That the Committee supports the recommendations made in the Cabinet report for 18 December on the Revenue Budget Monitoring 2018/19 (Month 7) and confirms that the areas of concern which it wishes Cabinet to review are Out of County Placements and Streetscene budgets.

The Corporate Finance Manager presented a report on the revenue budget monitoring position for the Council Fund and Housing Revenue Account (HRA) as at Month 7 prior to consideration by Cabinet on 18 December 2018.

On the Council Fund, the operating deficit had increased by £0.103m to £0.325m.  The main changes related to Out of County Placements, Health Board contribution income and the impact of auto-enrolment opt-in on the Pension Fund.

It was estimated that 97% of overall planned efficiencies would be achieved by year end.

The projected year-end balance on Contingency Reserves was £5.447m, after agreeing to use £1.900m to close the budget gap as agreed as part of Stage 1 budget solutions.  A summary of earmarked reserves showed a continued reduction with an estimated year-end balance of £11.096m.

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.

Following discussion on the previous item, Councillor Jones proposed that the budgets for Streetscene and Out of County Placements be highlighted to Cabinet as two areas of concern for ongoing review.

RESOLVED:

That the Committee supports the recommendations made in the Cabinet report for 18 December on the Revenue Budget Monitoring 2018/19 (Month 7) and confirms that the areas of concern which it wishes Cabinet to review are Out of County Placements and Streetscene budgets.