Issue - meetings

As detailed in the recommendations.

Councillor Johnson introduced the report which provided an update to the additional budget requirement for the 2023/24 financial year in advance of the specific Overview and Scrutiny Committee meetings to be held throughout December, and in advance of the receipt of the Provisional Settlement on 14^th December 2022.

Since September a number of changes and significant risks had been identified that were likely to lead to a further increase in the additional budget requirement and they were detailed in the report.  The impact of those were still being modelled and some areas would be subject to negotiation over the coming weeks.  However, it was projected that the additional budget requirement would rise to around £32m.

The report also provided an update on the budget solutions available to the Council to meet the additional budget requirement which would be brought forward for Member consideration in stages throughout the budget process.

The Chief Executive said that all other Councils were in the same position as Flintshire and the overall view was that Welsh Government (WG) should make money available for the provisions they promised.

The Corporate Finance Manager said that all of the budget solutions outlined in the report were being progressed at pace and the proposals would be considered by each portfolios Overview and Scrutiny Committee. 

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the risks that will increase the additional budget requirement for the 2023/24 financial year be noted; and

(b)       That all cost pressures and any available budget reductions be referred to the individual Overview and Scrutiny Committees for review in December.