Issue - meetings

Consideration was given to report of the Chief Officer Resources.

The Chief Officer Resources advised that the report outlined the Forecast financial position to the end of March 2021 across all portfolios, forecast outturn for Fees & Charges and Progress on the Bridging the Gap Projects for 2020/2021.

The Chief Officer Resources noted that the overall forecast outturn as at December 2020 was an adverse variance of £4.719m. However, following  the application of Welsh Government Hardship funding the forecast was a favourable variance of £0.552m which was a much improved position compared to the forecast in September 2020 which reported an adverse variance of £0.248m after the hardship funding.

The Chief Officer Resources further spoke to the report and provided a detailed overview of the forecast overall financial position across all portfolios as at 31^st December, 2020 and outlined the main adverse variances. The Chief Officer noted that Action Plans to address the cost pressures were detailed in Appendix 4.

At this juncture the Chair invited questions/comments from the Committee.

A Member referred to overspending in certain budget areas which he felt was no fault of the department or staff but was around the decision making of Members. The Member noted the Environment Portfolio position which was in deficit with little or no attempt being made to address the budget pressure. There appeared to be no effort to counteract these cost pressures and the Member was of the opinion that the Authority had a duty of care to ensure budget are kept in a favourable position in light of the hardship monies being received from Welsh Government. The Member felt that the Executive Members responsible for the Environment Portfolio and the Regeneration Portfolio should be tasked to give consideration to these ongoing cost pressures.

The Member further noted the favourable variance being reported for the second HWRC in Roseheyworth and it was confirmed by the Corporate Director Regeneration and Community Services that the favourable variance was due to the delay in opening as well as income being forecasted for diverted black bag waste.

The Member advised that he did not feel that an Authority of this size needed a second HWRC and he had been critical of the decision taken. The Member was of the opinion that Members expected too much and felt that the report highlighted the amount of work needed to balance the budget. The Member noted that some matters were seasonal, however it was also down to the decision making in these areas and the responsible Executive Members should look how the reductions could be achieved in order to reduce these cost pressures.

The Chair noted that the decision for a second HWRC site in Roseheyworth had been a Council decision and the Chair stated that he welcomed the decision as there was a need for a second HWRC.

Another Member noted the comments made in relation to overspends in portfolios and asked if the relevant amount of monies was being allocated to budgets to prevent overspends.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6