Decision details

Purpose of report: Provision of the latest forecast of the council's financial and performance position.

Members are asked to: to agree proposed amendments to plans, mitigation for identified issues and financial adjustments (such as allocations from contingency and virements) which are reserved to the Executive.

RESOLVED: (i)         That the performance issues identified in the report be noted.

REASON:      So that corrective action on these performance issues can be taken by Members and directorates.

                        (ii)        That the financial issues identified in the report be noted, in particular:

a)     The significant pressures arising due to the economic recession and social care costs that are still evident across the Council;

b)     The work already undertaken within directorates to contain financial pressures;

c)      That work continues to identify and implement options to meet the 1.5% savings targets required to contain spending within budget by the end of the financial year;

d)     The longer term need for growth in some budgets, which will require compensating efficiencies and

REASON:      So that the Council’s expenditure can be contained within budget.

                        (iii)       That Officers be requested to ensure that future monitor reports include background information sections on service demand levels and the trends which are influencing significant items of budget performance, and that key performance information is tabulated to allow for comparison with past trends and future targets, along with relevant information on national trends and comparison with other local authorities, where appropriate.

REASON:      To ensure that this key information, showing how volume increases are driving higher costs, is provided in a transparent way.