Issue - meetings

Revenue Budget Monitoring -2019/2020, Forecast Outturn To 31 March 2020 (As At 30 September 2019)

Meeting: 18/11/2019 - Joint Scrutiny Committee (Budget Monitoring) (Item 7)

7 Revenue Budget Monitoring -2019/2020, Forecast Outturn To 31 March 2020 (As At 30 September 2019) pdf icon PDF 626 KB

To consider the report of the Chief Officer Resources.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Consideration was given to the report of the Chief Officer Resources which provided the forecast financial outturn position across all portfolios for the financial year 2019/20 (as at 30th September, 2019) and to review the actions taken forward to move towards a balanced outturn position.

 

The Officer said this was a positive report and stated that the overall forecast financial position across all portfolios at 31st March, 2020 was showing a relatively small adverse variance of £7,200 against a total net revenue budget of £147m.  This was an improved position on the forecast position reported in quarter 1.  She then spoke to the report and highlighted the main points contained therein. 

 

Environment - £259k adverse variance

 

A Member referred to Appendix 4 which outlined the actions to be taken to address the adverse variance, in particular reduction of town centre deep cleans and weed spraying.  He pointed out that the current administration, in Council in July 2019, gave a commitment to prioritise street cleansing over the next 5 years, and the Member asked whether it was intended to move away from that priority.

 

He also referred to the development of a second HWRC in Roseheyworth and the associated revenue costs attached.  He questioned whether it was financially viable for the Council in light of the adverse variance within the Environment Portfolio, and whether the HWRC had replaced the Leadership’s priority for street cleansing.  He expressed concern that the adverse variance within the Portfolio was after the virement of money into the portfolio, and prior to the HWRC being operational.

 

In response the Corporate Director Community Services & Regeneration said street cleansing remained a priority for the Council, but these actions were necessary to balance the budget.  One of the key challenges was the increase in black bag sorting, but recycling continued to improve which would hopefully drive a reduction in costs in order to balance the budget, and then enable us to continue the activities that the Council committed to delivering.

 

Another Member asked whether some of the street cleansing activities could be undertaken ‘in-house’ in order to reduce costs.

 

The Corporate Director said some of the actions outlined in the report were short-term, and there would be opportunity to review and consider alternative opportunities as the budget progressed.

 

A Member said there was nothing in the report to suggest that politically the Council’s priorities had changed.  The report outlined the need for ‘cut-backs’ in order to balance the budget, and this may be required across all portfolios.

 

Social Services

 

In relation to income generation, a Member asked whether there were any proposals to expand the facilities available at Augusta House.

 

The Corporate Director Social Services confirmed that a feasibility study was undertaken and Welsh Government funding had been secured to develop additional facilities for the wider Gwent area.

 

Cwmcrachen Caravan Site

 

In response to a question raised by a Member regarding the electricity supply issues at the site, the Corporate Director Community Services & Regeneration confirmed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7