Issue - meetings

Cabinet Member:  Leader

Forward Plan Ref: 2009/154

Contact:  Kathy Wilcox, Principal Financial Manager (01865 323981)

Report by:  Assistant Chief Executive & Chief Finance Office (CA7)

This is the eighth financial monitoring report for the 2009/10 financial year and covers the period up to the end of November 2009.  it includes projections for revenue, balances, reserves and capital and a capital programme update.

The report sets out explanations where the forecast revenue outturn is significantly different from the budget along with proposals to recover the position where appropriate.

The in – year Directorate forecast is an overspend of £3.060m.  In addition the Council elements of the Older People, Physical Disabilities and Equipment Pooled Budget within Social and Community Services are forecast to overspend by £2.892m, whilst the Learning Disabilities Pooled Budget is forecast to overspend by £1.040m.

The current position for general balances is set out in Annex 5 and shows an unchanged forecast of £14.088m.  After taking into account the forecast Directorate overspend, the consolidated revenue balances forecast is £11.028m.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:

(a)               note the report;

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

(c)               approve the use of carry forward from 2008/09 to offset pressures in Legal and Democratic Services as set out in paragraph 51.

(d)              Approve the write off of the bad debt of £110,685.71 in respect of a payment in advance to Sedgemoor Children’s Services as set out in paragraph 57.

(e)               Approve the updated Capital Programme as set out in Annex 8;

(f)                 Agree the deferral and phasing of the repayment of grant from Creation Theatre Company as set out in paragraphs 86 and 87.

The Cabinet received the eighth financial monitoring report for the 2009/10 financial year covering the period up to the end of November 2009 for revenue, balances, reserves and capital.

The in – year Directorate forecast was an overspend of £3.060m.

The current position for general balances showed an unchanged forecast of £14.088m and after taking into account the forecast Directorate overspend, the consolidated revenue balances forecast was £11.028m.

Cabinet noted the amended Annex 2a as referred to in the schedule of addenda, together with resultant changes to Annex 2e.

The Leader noted that there were consistent pressures around young unaccompanied asylum seekers, children’s placements, pressures on pooled budgets and ICT. He added that better systems were enabling the delivery of the planned capital programme. Cabinet noted the action being taken as detailed by individual Cabinet Members.

Cabinet considered the supplementary report of the Leader, set out in the schedule to the addenda that outlined the impacts of the recent severe cold weather. He highlighted the help and co-operation across the County. Cabinet Members praised the efforts of staff and other agencies, particularly District Councils who had worked well together. The County Council had taken a lead role in directing efforts to where they were most needed. Councillor Rose was thanked for his role in informing the people of Oxfordshire through radio interviews and the local press. The outstanding performance of support staff such as Home Support Staff to continue to provide a service to the most vulnerable residents was recognised. The Cabinet Member for Schools Improvement referred to the more rigorous guidelines for schools that had been put in place following last winter’s bad weather and that as a result the majority of schools had been able to maximise their opening this time, in particular for young people taking exams.

Cabinet noted that the impact on the road maintenance budget as referred to in the report was only an early indication and was no more than an estimate of the immediate works that would be needed. The final impact would not be known until the inspection of the road network was completed.

RESOLVED:             to:

(a)       note the report;

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

(c)               approve the use of carry forward from 2008/09 to offset pressures in Legal and Democratic Services as set out in paragraph 51;

(d)               approve the write off of the bad debt of £110,685.71 in respect of a payment in advance to Sedgemoor Children’s Services as set out in paragraph 57;

(e)               approve the updated Capital Programme as set out in Annex 8;

(f)                 agree the deferral and phasing of the repayment of grant from Creation Theatre Company as set out in paragraphs 86 and 87; and

(In respect of the recent severe weather to):

(g)               recognise the efforts of all our staff at this difficult time;

(h)               recognise the assistance of our partners; and

(i)         consider any lessons that can be learnt as appropriate.