The Finance and Corporate Overview Scrutiny Committee of Bolsover District Council met on 4 September 2025 and reviewed the council's corporate debt, budget monitoring, performance against council plan targets, and work programme. The committee noted the reports on corporate debt and budget monitoring, and reviewed the proposed work programme for 2025/26.

• Budget Monitoring Report Q1

  The committee reviewed the Budget Monitoring Report for the first quarter of 2025/26. The report highlighted a favourable variance of £0.903m in the General Fund, with most variances due to timing. The report also discussed the government's Fair Funding Review 2.0 and its potential impact on the council's finances.

  The report noted that the council had been contacted by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) regarding potential larger losses in funding, despite the proposed transitional arrangements. The council has a reserve of £14.210m to mitigate these losses over the next four years.

  The Housing Revenue Account (HRA) showed an adverse variance of £0.041m, mainly due to a reduction in dwelling rent income because of demolitions.

  The capital programme was behind the planned spend position, with a variance of £5.462m.

  The treasury management activity was in line with the approved strategy, and investment income was higher than budgeted.

• Annual Corporate Debt Monitoring Performance Report 2024/25

  The committee reviewed the annual corporate debt position as of 31 March 2025. The report showed an increase in income billed for most sources, with a reduction in income from housing benefit overpayments. Arrears had increased for non-domestic rates, council tax and sundry debtors. The provision for impairment was increased for most income sources. Write-offs increased compared to last year, mainly for non-domestic rates and council tax debt.

  Theresa Fletcher, Director of Finance and Section 151 Officer, noted in her report that:

  Individuals and businesses are still struggling to pay, depending on their individual circumstances. As always, payment plans have been agreed to help debtors not get into arrears if possible. The current levels of arrears for NNDR and council tax are the highest they've been in recent years.

• Council Plan Targets Performance Update

  The committee reviewed the performance against the council plan targets for April to June 2025 (Q1). Out of 33 targets, 25 (76%) were on track, 1 (3%) was extended, 3 (9%) were not on track, 3 (9%) were achieved, and 1 (3%) had a Q1 update yet to be received. Out of 58 key performance indicators, 37 (64%) had a positive outturn, 10 (17%) had a negative outturn, 7 (12%) were within target, and 4 (7%) were to be withdrawn/no longer valid.

  Targets not on track included:

  • ENV.05 - Carry out 155 targeted proactive littering dog fouling patrols per year
  • ECO.01 - Refresh our Business Growth Strategy
  • HOUSING 2 - Deliver 200 new homes through a new Bolsover Homes Programme using Dragonfly Development Ltd by March 2028

• Finance and Corporate Overview Scrutiny Committee Work Programme 2025/26

  The committee considered their work programme for 2025/26. The proposed agenda items for future meetings were:

  • 27 November 2025: Budget Monitoring Report – Quarter 2, Revised Budgets 2025/26, Setting of Council Tax 2026/27, Corporate Ambitions Performance Update – July to September 2025 (Q2), Finance & Corporate Overview Scrutiny Committee Work Programme 2025/26
  • 22 January 2026: Proposed Budget – Medium Term Financial Plan 2025/26– 2029/30, Treasury Strategy Reports 2026/27 – 2029/30, Finance & Corporate Overview Scrutiny Committee Work Programme 2025/26
  • 3 March 2026: Corporate Ambitions Performance Update – October to December 2025 (Q3), Finance & Corporate Overview Scrutiny Committee Work Programme 2025/26
  • 2 June 2026: Corporate Ambitions Performance Update – January to March 2026 (Q4), Finance & Corporate Overview Scrutiny Committee Work Programme 2026/27

The meeting on 24 July 2025 was adjourned due to a lack of quorum, and the minutes from the meeting on 7 May 2025 were approved. Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Rowan Clarke, Steve Fritchley, Chris Kane, Duncan McGregor, Sally Renshaw and Janet Tait.