Issue - meetings

Cabinet Member: Finance

Forward Plan Ref: 2017/001

Contact: Katy Jurczyszyn, Strategic Finance Manager (Finance, Strategy & Monitoring) Tel: 07584 909518

Report by Chief Finance Officer (CA7).

The report sets out the provisional revenue and capital outturn position for 2016/17 and shows how actual expenditure and income for the year compares to the budgeted position.  Figures shown in the report reflect those included in the Council’s Statement of Accounts for 2016/17.  The draft Statement of Accounts were authorised for issue on 31 May 2017, subject to external audit.  The final Statement of Accounts will be submitted to the Audit and Governance Committee on 6 September 2017 following external audit and certification by the Director of Finance.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED in respect of the 2016/17 outturn to:

(a)          note the provisional revenue and capital outturn for 2016/17 along with the year end position on balances and reserves as set out in the report;

(b)         approve the creation of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards Reserve as set out in paragraph 94;

(c)          approve the virements as set out in Annex 2a;

(d)         recommend Council to approve the virements greater than £1.0m for Children, Education & Families, Environment and Economy, Social & Community Services and Strategic Measures as set out in Annex 2a;

(e)          agree that the surplus on the On-Street Parking Account at the end of the 2016/17 financial year, so far as not applied to particular eligible purposes in accordance with Section 55(4) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, be carried forward in the account to the 2017/18 financial year.

Recommendations agreed.

Cabinet considered a report that set out the provisional revenue and capital outturn position for 2016/17 and showed how actual expenditure and income for the year compared to the budgeted position.  Figures shown in the report reflected those included in the Council’s Statement of Accounts for 2016/17.  The draft Statement of Accounts were authorised for issue on 31 May 2017, subject to external audit.  The final Statement of Accounts will be submitted to the Audit and Governance Committee on 6 September 2017 following external audit and certification by the Director of Finance.

Councillor Helen Evans, Shadow Cabinet Member for Finance thanked officers who had worked hard to deliver the savings. In supporting the recommendations Councillor Evans noted that this was the seventh year where the organisation had been required to find savings and that this inevitably impacted on services with the poorest being hardest hit. She highlighted overspend in children’s services due to increased demand around looked after children.  This was a national trend and it was important for the Council to continue to provide care and support. Councillor Evans queried the underspend in public health pointing to a rising level of public drug and alcohol use.

Councillor David Bartholomew, Cabinet Member for Finance also thanked officers and indicated that he would look into the question raised around public health and reply to her directly. In moving the recommendations he recognised the achievement in the light of challenges which was a reflection of the very strong financial management of this Council at all levels. He was a great believer in strong financial monitoring and the report did highlight continuing pressures. Action to manage these had been taken but ongoing demand was reflected in the 2017/18 budget. Councillor Bartholomew highlighted the virements requiring Council approval.

RESOLVED:             in respect of the 2016/17 outturn to:

(a)          note the provisional revenue and capital outturn for 2016/17 along with the year end position on balances and reserves as set out in the report;

(b)          approve the creation of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards Reserve as set out in paragraph 93;

(c)          approve the virements as set out in Annex 2a;

(d)          recommend Council to approve the virements greater than £1.0m for Children, Education & Families, Environment and Economy, Social & Community Services and Strategic Measures as set out in Annex 2a;

(e)          agree that the surplus on the On-Street Parking Account at the end of the 2016/17 financial year, so far as not applied to particular eligible purposes in accordance with Section 55(4) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, be carried forward in the account to the 2017/18 financial year.