Issue - meetings

This report presents the financial monitoring information for the Authority as a whole for the financial year 2022/23, using information available as at the end of June 2022.

Cllr Tom Davies introduced the report and moved the officer recommendation.  He thanked the finance team for presenting this information in such a timely manner.  He highlighted the challenges faced by the Council and, in particular, the forecast for a £2.3m overspend in children’s services due to staffing pressures and the high cost of placements.  The fact that this information is being presented now will enable officers and Cabinet Members to manage the situation and the Cabinet will continue to monitor this very closely.  This is a particularly challenging time to manage and provide core services.  The combinations of Brexit, the Covid pandemic, the war in Ukraine and the failure of the Government to provide appropriate funding to local authorities have placed enormous pressure on Councils.  He highlighted the investment plans set out in the capital programme including improvements to Midsomer Norton High Street, the Radstock Healthy Living Centre, Bath Quays North and the further development of the Bath Western Riverside and the final element of the Sydney Gardens project.

Cllr Sarah Warren seconded the motion and made the following statement:

“Continued financial resilience here at the council allows us to invest in our capital projects, such as the site redevelopment of Pixash recycling centre, with its exceptionally strong sustainability credentials; our liveable neighbourhoods programme that aims to make residential areas safer to move around on foot and by bike; and the refurbishment of Cleveland Bridge. Thanks of course should go to not only to Cllr Samuel and his team for their ongoing excellent management of the budget in these very unpredictable times; and of course, to Cllr Davies for picking up this work at short notice and bringing forward these papers.”

Cllr Tim Ball noted the importance of future investment in Council services and the excellent financial prudence demonstrated by Cllr Richard Samuel and the finance team.

RESOLVED (unanimously):

(1)  To note the 2022/23 revenue budget position (as at the end of June 2022).

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

(3)  To note the capital year-end forecast detailed in paragraph 3.21 of the 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) of the report.