Issue - meetings

This report presents the financial monitoring information for the Authority as a whole for the financial year 2021/22, using information available as at the end of September 2021.

On a motion from Councillor Richard Samuel, seconded by Councillor Kevin Guy, it was unanimously

RESOLVED (unanimously) that the Cabinet agreed:

1)  To note the 2021/22 revenue budget position (as at the end of September 2021).

2)  To note the revenue virements listed for information only in Appendix 3(i).

3)  To note the capital year-end forecast detailed in paragraph 3.25 of this report;

4)  To note the changes in the capital programme including capital schemes that have been agreed for full approval under delegation listed in Appendix 4(i).

This report presents the financial monitoring information for the Authority as a whole for the financial year 2021/22, using information available as at the end of September 2021.

Councillor Richard Samuel introduced the report and made the following statement:

“In 2019 I set the overriding objective that the council’s revenue budget was to balance year on year and at the same time be closely monitored in public. This was to ensure that our residents could be confident that this Liberal Democrat administration was managing public funds prudently and transparently. Persistent overspending and waste accrued from the previous administration had, in my view, undermined the bond of trust that should exist between council and taxpayers. Recently I have seen former councillors unwisely comment on the former Visit Bath arrangements, conveniently forgetting that that administration allowed well over £500k of bad debts to accrue which it was necessary to write off. That is the sort of sloppy governance that I am determined to avoid.

Before I introduce the report, I must reiterate the context we are still operating in.

Significant reductions in income from Heritage Services because of the need to manage down visitor numbers are still present. Although the government seems to think that the pandemic has gone away B&NES is currently the 7th highest outbreak incidence in the UK. At the same time downward pressure on income from the council’s commercial estate remains a concern – reflecting the understandable pressures on our tenants imposed by the government’s restrictions.

In social services we have seen huge increases in demand for Children’s services whilst at the same time we are seeing reductions in demand for Adult services. This turbulence is a constant current feature of our management of the council’s finances, and we are using covid contingency funding to smooth matters.

Given these factors we are expecting the revenue budget to remain on balance for the 11th successive quarter and to balance at year end without the need to draw from the general contingency reserve. This is a considerable achievement by the cabinet members and their officers which I thank and commend.

On capital there is some slippage against the programme mainly associated with Bath Western Riverside, but the project is underway and re-phasing will take place into 22/23. Members will also note the major works scheme due to commence on Orange Grove to improve and repair the envelope to this important terrace”.

Councillor Richard Samuel moved the recommendations.

Councillor Kevin Guy stated Councillor Samuel has balanced the books in the difficult time and thanked him. Councillor Guy seconded the motion.

RESOLVED (unanimously) to recommend that the Cabinet on 11^th November 2021:

1.1  Note the 2021/22 revenue budget position (as at the end of September 2021).

1.2  Note the revenue virements listed for information only in Appendix 3(i).

1.3  Note the capital year-end forecast detailed in paragraph 3.25 of this report;

1.4  Note the changes in the capital programme including capital schemes that have been agreed for full approval under delegation listed in Appendix 4(i).