Issue - meetings

Consideration was given to the report of the Chief Officer Resources.

The Chief Officer Resources spoke to the report which provided the forecast financial outturn position across all Portfolios for the financial year 2019/2020 (as forecast at 31^st December 2020) and referred to the information related to the actions taken forward to move towards a balanced out turn position.

The Chief Officer said that a comparison between Corporate Services Quarter 3 and 4 showed a favourable variance due to the increase in forecast expenditure for Council Tax Reduction Scheme.  Education showed a favourable variance.  Social Services showed the forecast variance had reduced due to an increase in the number of placements with independent Fostering agencies. Education showed a reduced forecast adverse variance.  Economy showed a slight reduction in variance due to the temporary solicitor post being extended to March 2020.  Environment showed a slight improvement due to additional fees & charges and the reallocation of costs for asbestos works.

The Managing Director commented on the improved position from last year but figures still showed vulnerabilities.  It was important to keep focus into the new financial year to move towards balancing the budget.

The Leader welcomed the good position of the budget which showed excellent collective budgetary control.

RESOLVED that the report be accepted and the appropriate challenge to the financial outcomes was received. The action plans attached at Appendix 4 to address the forecast adverse variances as at the end of December 2019 be noted.