Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: July 8, 2025

Purpose: Quarterly report

Content: This report ses out the forecast Revenue and Capital outturn position for Buckinghamshire Council for the financial year 2025/26 as at Quarter 1. Overall, the forecast revenue outturn was a balanced position. The Council continued to experience pressures from increases in demand and complexity of need in the key services of Adult Social Care, Children’s Social Care, Temporary Accommodation, Home to School Transport and High Needs budgets within the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG).   Portfolios were reporting an adverse variance of £5.5m (1% of Portfolio budgets), offset by a favourable variance in Corporate and Funding budgets. This challenging position was mainly due to pressures in Children’s Social Care (£3.2m), Home to School Transport (£1.7m) and Temporary Accommodation (£0.9m). Contingency actions, that could be deployed if required, were being considered to mitigate such pressures.   The Dedicated Schools Grant budget had been set with a deficit of £22.9m and this remained the current forecast. The balance on the DSG deficit reserve at the beginning of the year was £24.5m with a forecast closing balance of £47.4m.   The forecast position on capital budgets was £220.5m, which matched the current budget after reprofiling to reflect an updated and prudent view on the delivery of projects.   The budget included an approved savings programme of £115.6m over 3 years, with £76.9m to be delivered in 2025/26. Delivery of savings for 2025/26 was currently forecast at 0.7% above target with a total £0.51m of savings above budget. The report also contained recommendations to update Fees & Charges which were set out in detail at Appendix 3 of the report. Actions would continue to be required to closely manage the in-year financial position.   RESOLVED that the report be noted and the changes to Fees and Charges in Appendix 3 of the report be agreed.