Issue - meetings

Cabinet Member: Finance

Forward Plan Ref: 2018/169

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

Report by Director of Finance (CA7).

This report sets out the forecast position of the revenue budget as at the end of January 2019.  This report also includes an update on the delivery of savings, plus a forecast of 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 69 and 70;

(d)      note the treasury management lending list as set out in Annex 6;

(e)      approve the fees and charges set out in paragraph 77 and Annex 7;

(f)        approve the Children’s Services Action Plan as set out in Annex 8.

Recommendations agreed.

Cabinet considered a report that set out the forecast position of the revenue budget as at the end of January 2019.  The report also included an update on the delivery of savings, plus a forecast of reserves and balances.

Councillor Glynis Phillips, Shadow Cabinet Member for Finance, highlighted her main area of concern as being Children Education & Families (CEF) and congratulated the otherwise broadly balanced budgets being delivered in difficult circumstances. Councillor Phillips made detailed comments on the position with regard to CEF. Councillor Phillips referred to the in year funding received.

Councillor David Bartholomew, Cabinet Member for Finance, responded to the comments made noting that children’s services were a national and ongoing issue. He detailed the steps being taken to address the situation. Councillor Ian Hudspeth, Leader of the Council, added that in respect of the in-year funding whilst it was welcomed it made planning difficult and it would be better to have long term planning. Individual Cabinet Members responded to the points made.

In particular Councillor Lindsay-Gale referred to the work being carried out by the Cabinet Advisory Group looking at SEN transport who were hoping to report in the Summer. Councillor Lindsay-Gale also referred to the plans for new schools that were designed to cut down journey times for children.

Councillor Bartholomew introduced the contents of the report and moved the recommendations.

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 69 and 70;

(d)      note the treasury management lending list as set out in Annex 6;

(e)      approve the fees and charges set out in paragraph 77 and Annex 7;

(f)        approve the Children’s Services Action Plan as set out in Annex 8.