Issue - meetings

That the Committee accepts the Revenue Budget Monitoring Report 2015/16 (Month 12).  Whilst the Committee confirmed that there was no specific issue which is to be formally raised at the Cabinet, it was agreed that the concerns at the continued level of agency staff use be reported.

The Corporate Finance Manager introduced a report on the revenue budget monitoring position for Month 12 of 2015/16 for the Council Fund and Housing Revenue Account (HRA) prior to its consideration at Cabinet on 21 June 2016.  The projected position was that net spend would be £1.372m less than the budget which was a negative movement of approximately £0.200m.  This was mainly due to an increase in projected out of county placement costs but had been offset by additional income on the Council Tax collection fund.  Some additional requests had been made to carry forward funding, mainly comprising changes to previously agreed amounts and these were recommended for approval.

Councillor Marion Bateman referred to the increased overspend and high percentage of agency workers in Streetscene.  Although more a question for the Environment Overview & Scrutiny Committee, it was reported that the number of agency workers in Streetscene was likely to reduce over the coming months as permanent posts were filled as part of the restructure.

Following a question from Councillor Paul Shotton, the Corporate Finance Manager confirmed that there had been a downward trend in recycling sale values which had been identified as a risk in the report.  All pressures would continue to be monitored and projections amended for 2016/17 and 2017/18 and built into the Medium Term Financial Strategy.  Councillor Richard Jones pointed out that projections for 2016/17 had already taken account of the pressure for recycling.

RESOLVED:

That the Committee accepts the Revenue Budget Monitoring Report 2015/16 (Month 12).  Whilst the Committee confirmed that there was no specific issue which is to be formally raised at the Cabinet, it was agreed that the concerns at the continued level of agency staff use be reported.