Issue - items at meetings - First Corporate Performance & Finance Monitor

This report provides details of the headline performance issues from the first performance monitor of 2009/10 covering the period from 1 April to 30 June 2009 covering finance, performance, key projects and priorities.

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

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

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

a) The significant pressures arising due to the economic recession and social care costs;

b) The work already undertaken within directorates to reduce the potential overspend;

c) The need for further work to bring expenditure in line with the budget;

d) The longer term need for growth in some budgets, which will require compensating efficiencies and service transformation across the Council.

REASON: So that corrective action can be taken to bring the Council’s expenditure within budget.

(iii) That the appropriate Scrutiny committees be requested to review the reasons for, and possible options for offsetting, the increases in the number of looked-after children, together with the demand levels for adult community care packages and care packages, which are both having an impact on the Council’s budget.

REASON: To ensure that there are appropriate levels of intervention and support available to the community.

(iv) That Officers be requested to update the Executive on lobbying to gain for York a fair grant based on the government formula for the City, the reimbursement of the actual costs of concessionary fares, and recycling of landfill tax money to councils like York which have exceeded government targets for recycling.

REASON: To help ensure that York receives its fair share of government grant.

Members considered a report which provided details of matters arising from the first performance monitor of 2009/10, covering the period from 1 April to 30 June 2009.

The report covered the Council’s service and corporate budgets, general performance against indicators at corporate and directorate level, and progress against corporate priorities. The following key points were highlighted:

A net overspend of £2.3m was currently projected, following the identification of in year savings totalling £1.8m. Further action would be needed to bring expenditure in line with the budget.
54% of National Performance Indicators (NPIs) were improving, with 56% on track to meet their 2009/10 target. Equivalent figures for the LAA targets were 60% and 64% respectively.
6 of the 54 milestone actions in the Corporate Strategy had been completed and over three quarters were on track to meet agreed deadlines. Action was being taken to address the remainder.

With reference to the comments of the Shadow Executive on this item, Members noted that the projected revenue budget deficit was in fact lower than in some previous years and amounted to less than 1% of the Council’s gross budget.