Issue - meetings

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

The Chief Officer Resources advised that the report provided the forecast financial outturn position across all portfolios for the financial year 2020/2021 as at 30^th September, 2020. There was an adverse variance of £3.402m before the application of Welsh Government Hardship funding which reduced the forecast adverse variance to £0.248m. This was an improved position compared to the forecast at June 2020 which indicated an adverse variance of £1.2m. The Chief Officer further reported the financial position across all portfolios and outlined the key points as detailed in the report.

The Chief Officer Resources advised that the appendices contained information on fees and charges as well as progress made against the Bridging the Gap programme. The Appendices also detailed actions which are being taken forward by Budget Holders to mitigate any forecast cost pressures.

The Leader was mindful that Executive Members respectively and as a collective monitored budgets on a regular basis and given the current situation felt that budgets had been managed well by Budget Holders. He was of the opinion that the Council was in a reasonable position and had hoped that with the much appreciated assistance from Welsh Government provided to Local Government it would help the Council in balancing the budget.

The Leader advised that next year’s budget indication was due to be announced on the 22^nd December, 2020 and it was hoped that the Council would continue the excellent work around financial management achieved in previous years.

RESOLVED that the report be accepted and the appropriate challenge was provided to the financial outcomes in the report.