Issue - meetings

Cabinet Member: Finance

Forward Plan Ref: 2018/116

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

Report by Director of Finance (CA6).

The report sets out the forecast position of the revenue budget as at the end of October 2018.  The report also includes an update on the delivery of savings, plus forecast reserves and balances.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:

(a)      note the report;

(b)      approve the virements set out in Annex 2a and note the virements set out in Annex 2b; and

(c)      approve the bad debt write-offs as set out in paragraphs 67 and 68.

Recommendations agreed.

The report set out the forecast position of the revenue budget as at the end of October 2018.  The report also included an update on the delivery of savings, plus forecast reserves and balances.

Councillor Glynis Phillips, Shadow Cabinet Member for Finance spoke to the report highlighting the continuing issues in CEF and commented on those issues that were underfunded by central government such as, unaccompanied young asylum seekers. Councillor Phillips welcomed the winter pressure funding but felt the requirements around it were unreasonable. Councillor Phillips commented that in the Communities directorate the Carillion issue was a future risk. Overall she commented that the position was unsustainable and that results were needed from the Transformation Programme to avoid cuts in future years.

Councillor David Bartholomew, Cabinet Member for Finance, responded to the comments made, noting that the CEF matters raised were national issues. The Directorate was developing an action plan in response.  He added that the Council would deliver a balanced budget and thanked the diligent work of the Finance Team.

Councillor Bartholomew introduced the contents of the report.

RESOLVED:             to:

(a)      note the report;

(b)      approve the virements set out in Annex 2a and note the virements set out in Annex 2b; and

(c)       approve the bad debt write-offs as set out in paragraphs 67 and 68.