Issue - meetings

This report sets out the projected 2023/24 financial position and the performance position for the period covering 1 April 2023 to 31 December 2023. This is the third report of the financial year and assesses performance against budgets, including progress in delivering the Council’s savings programme.

Resolved:

                      i.         To note the finance and performance information.

Reason:     To ensure expenditure is kept within the approved budget.

The Chief Finance Officer confirmed that there were risks attached to the forecast overspend for the Council, and consequently Executive should look at savings proposals totalling £14.3m. She confirmed a correction at paragraph 23 of the report that the Director of Children and Education and Central Budgets 2023/24 budget should show a forecast overspend of £3,718,000 not £2,720,000.

The Executive Member for Finance, Performance, Major Projects and Equalities stated that, on average, the Council had had to reduce its spending by £8.6m each year since 2010. She outlined that austerity policies on a national level had negatively affected the Council. Finally, she also noted that previous Council budgets had set unachievable saving proposals and that the Executive would aim manage Council spending.

The Executive Member for Health, Wellbeing and Adult Social Care noted that demand for Adult Social Care services continued to rise. She highlighted that City of York Council was one of the lowest funded Councils in the country. She confirmed that policy changes would see less residents having to enter care, but that the cost of care would continue to rise.

Resolved:

                         i.         To note the finance and performance information.

Reason:     To ensure expenditure is kept within the approved budget.