Decision Maker:

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: January 6, 2025

Purpose:

Content: RESOLVED   The Scrutiny Corporate and Resources Committee approved the recommendations to the Executive Committee, which were that the Executive:   a) Notes Council is now forecasting a balanced revenue position (on-budget). b) Notes the total Council revenue forecast underspend of £8.782m for the year. There is a forecast underspend of £2.722m within Service Directorates for 2024/25 and the Corporate Contingency of £6.000m, whilst remains unallocated it has been released into the forecast outturn within budget lines Table 1. c) Note that the planned use of reserves of £36.800m for Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) Support towards the budget is forecast to reduce by £8.782m to £30.717m, due to the forecast underspend within budget lines. This is shown on the Reserves line of Table 1. d) Agree that mitigating actions are to be identified in order to reduce any overspends, to take action and to contribute to the long-term financial sustainability of the authority. e) Agree that the Council continues with the aim of avoiding a Section 114 notice by taking all of the necessary actions and continuing to operate as if one has been issued. f) Note the progress and delivered savings of £14.293m of the approved savings programme as set out in Table 2 and Appendix J. g) Notes that work will continue to find mitigating or substitute savings for the £1.239m of Red unachievable savings, deliver the £4.410m Amber at risk savings and the £18.935m Green on track savings. h) Note the in-year forecast overspend on the Dedicated Schools Grant of £32.767m, an increase of £4.508m from Quarter 2 (in section 12). i) Note the total forecast Dedicated Schools Grant year-end deficit of £68.707m as set out in Appendix C. j) Note the collection rates for Council Tax and Business Rates as set out in section 19. k) Note the Capital Programme forecast outturn at Month 7 is £113.678m. l) Approve that any application for Exceptional Financial Support for the 2025/26 budget is delegated to the Interim Chief Finance Officer (Section 151 Officer) as detailed in section 31 of this report.   Scrutiny Corporate and Resources also proposed an additional recommendation for the Scrutiny Children and Families Committee which read as follows:   “The Scrutiny Committee Corporate & Resources scrutinised the Month 7 2024/25 General Fund Revenue and Capital Budget Monitoring Report, the mitigating actions being undertaken, the work being undertaken by services to identify alternative substitute savings where agreed savings for 2024/25 are not delivered and welcomed the forecast of a balanced revenue position.   The Committee agreed to retain a focus on the Dedicated Schools Grant forecast year-end deficit and the management of child placements within budget allocations. The Committee requested further scrutiny and a report back from Scrutiny Committee for Children & Families on these areas to address the Children’s Services forecast overspend to a balanced outturn position.”