The Corporate, Resource Management & Governance Scrutiny Committee were scheduled to discuss budget monitoring, treasury management, workforce, and contract procedure rules at their meeting. The committee was also expected to review its work programme for the coming months. Councillors were to consider a report that contained information 'not for publication' relating to asset management.

2025/26 Budget Monitoring

The committee was scheduled to discuss the 2025/26 Q1 Budget Monitoring Update. The report provided an update on the revenue budget forecast outturn as at the end of June 2025, as well as updates on the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG), Housing Revenue Account (HRA), reserves, and the capital programme.

According to the report, the council's revenue budget was forecasting a deficit of £8.337m, comprising a £10.906m deficit on cash limit portfolio budgets, offset by a £2.569m non-cash limit surplus. The report stated that a response, led by the Corporate Leadership Team (CLT), had been put in place to recover and mitigate costs.

Cash limit portfolios were forecast to have a £10.906m deficit, with significant deficits in Children, Education and Families (£5.739m) and Health, Wellbeing and Adult Social Care (£4.811m). The report attributed the Education deficit to the rising costs of Special Education Needs (SEN) transport, while the deficit in Children and Family Services was linked to challenges in securing placements for Children Looked After (CLA) and the increasing complexity of cases.

The report stated that the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) was forecasting an in-year deficit of £20.388m, which would be carried forward as part of the overall cumulative deficit. The cost pressures within the DSG related to the high needs block, including increased placements in external providers and costs relating to Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) provision.

The Housing Revenue Account (HRA) was forecasting a surplus of £0.271m for the year, after setting aside £0.490m to support short-term pressures of the proposed development programme.

The 2025/26 Reserves Policy was also up for discussion. The report provided the outcome of the annual review of the council's Reserves Policy following the reporting of the council's 2024/25 outturn position. The report recommended that the Scrutiny Committee note and comment on the report, including the recommendations to Cabinet.

Treasury Management

The committee was scheduled to discuss the Treasury Management Annual Report 2024/25, which reviews treasury management activities and the actual prudential and treasury indicators for 2024/25. The report stated that it meets the requirements of the CIPFA Code of Practice on Treasury Management and the CIPFA Prudential Code for Capital Finance in Local Authorities.

The report summarised capital activity during the year, its impact on the council's indebtedness, the actual prudential and treasury indicators, the overall treasury position, interest rate movements, and detailed debt and investment activity.

The committee was also scheduled to discuss the Treasury Management Q1 Report 2025/26, which updates the committee on treasury management activities and ensures that the council is implementing best practice in accordance with the CIPFA Code of Practice for Treasury Management.

The report stated that the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Bank of England cut interest rates from 4.50% to 4.25% in May and held them steady in June. It also noted that 10-year gilt yields fluctuated between 4.40% and 4.80%, ending the quarter at 4.50%.

Annual Workforce Report

The committee was scheduled to discuss the Annual Workforce Report 2025. The report provides a reflection and celebration of the achievements of all colleagues and also tells a story of progress, resilience and purpose – driven by a shared ambition to build a stronger, more inclusive and values-led organisation.

The report stated that the One Team People Plan is built on five pillars that shape how the council attracts, supports and empowers its workforce: Join Us, Grow and Thrive, Feel Supported, Belong Here and Live our Values.

The report recommended that the Scrutiny Committee note the progress in launching and implementing key initiatives within the One Team People Plan, and the strategic focus for the next 12 months as outlined in the report.

Update to the Constitution

The committee was scheduled to discuss the Update to the Constitution to Incorporate Updated Contract Procedure Rules. The report sets out the proposed amendments to the Contract Procedure Rules (CPRs) to reflect new procurement legislation as agreed by the recent STaR Joint Committee on 19 June 2025.

The report stated that the current CPRs require amending to reflect the changes in legislation following the introduction of the Procurement Act 2023 which came into force on 24 February 2025. The proposed amendments have been approved by the STaR Joint Committee on 19 June 2025.

The report recommended that the Scrutiny Committee consider the proposed amendments to the Contract Procedure Rules (CPRs) and provide any comments, and endorse the report to Cabinet on 16 September 2025 for recommendation to the Council Meeting on 9 October 2025. The proposed amendments are detailed in Appendix A Summary of Changes and the revised contract Procedure Rules are in CPRsStarLegalupdate05062025Finalcleancopy.pdf.

Scrutiny Work Programme

The committee was scheduled to discuss the Scrutiny Work Programme September 2025-26. The report sets out planned agenda items for the Scrutiny Committee's meeting and Forward Plan items that fall within the remit of the Scrutiny Committee. The agenda items are indicative at this stage and may be subject to change.

Asset Management Report

The committee was scheduled to consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive, Paul Richards, detailing the proposed disposal of a strategic asset. The agenda noted that the report contained information 'not for publication' that had been circulated to members of the Scrutiny Committee only.