Issue - meetings

RESOLVED: That Cabinet:

(1)   Noted this report.

(2)   Approved the changes to the 2024/25 General Fund budget, as identified in table 3 and paragraph 8.2, a £840k decrease in net expenditure.

(3)   Approved the changes to the 2025/26 General Fund budget, as identified in table 3 and paragraph 8.2, a total £807k increase in net expenditure.

REASON FOR DECISIONS: Members are able to monitor, make adjustments within the overall budgetary framework and request appropriate action of Services who do not meet the budget targets set as part of the Corporate Business Planning process.

Audio recording – 1 hour 57 minutes 1 second

The Chair invited Councillor Sean Nolan, as Chair of the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee, to present the referral on this item. Councillor Nolan advised that there had been discussions around:

·       Looking at the ongoing risk around staffing and the effects of extra work on existing staff.

·       Looking at plans to increase resources to support commercial refuse and recycling.

·       Looking into why the income from planning applications had been lower expected.

·       Looking at financial risks and the monitoring of risks which was well managed.

Councillor Ian Albert, as the Executive Member for Finance and IT, presented the report entitled ‘Third Quarter Revenue Budget Monitoring 2024/25’ and advised that:

·       Some slippage and changes which would help improve the fund balance were detailed in Table 3, but would ultimately be planned to be spent, and Cabinet needed to be mindful of the estimated ongoing impact of £76K overall total for 2025/26 onwards.

·       The overachievement of income from garden waste collections was due to an increase in subscribers which was positive going forward into the new financial year and new waste contract.

·       The position on main fees and charges was highlighted in Tables 4 and 5.

·       The overall impact on the general fund, including additional £23k of funding, was detailed in Table 7.

Councillor Ian Albert proposed as amended and Councillor Tamsin Thomas seconded and, following a vote, it was:

RESOLVED: That Cabinet:

(1)   Noted this report.

(2)   Approved the changes to the 2024/25 General Fund budget, as identified in table 3 and paragraph 8.2, a £840k decrease in net expenditure.

(3)   Approved the changes to the 2025/26 General Fund budget, as identified in table 3 and paragraph 8.2, a total £807k increase in net expenditure.

REASON FOR DECISIONS: Members are able to monitor, make adjustments within the overall budgetary framework and request appropriate action of Services who do not meet the budget targets set as part of the Corporate Business Planning process.