Issue - meetings

Executive Board considered the attached report.

RECOMMENDED: That Council approve the revisions to the Council’s 2018/19 Capital Programme set out in paragraph 3.2 of the report.

          The Council considered a report of the Operational Director, Finance, which sought approval to a number of revisions to the Council’s 2018/19 Capital Programme.

          RESOLVED: That the revisions to the Council’s 2018/19 Capital Programme, as set out in paragraph 3.2 of the report, be approved.

          The Board considered a report of the Operational Director, Finance, which reported on the 2018/19 Quarter 3 Spending as at 31 December 2018.

          A summary of spending against revenue budget up to 31 December 2018 was attached to the report at Appendix 1. This provided individual statements for each department. The Board was advised that, in overall terms, revenue expenditure was £3,142m above the budget profile. Whilst the overspend position had increased since Quarter 2, the pace of increase had steadied.

          The report contained details of the main budget pressure within the Children and Families Department with Out-of-Borough Residential Placements and Fostering dominating the overspend position. However, initiatives were in place for the Council to increase the number of in-house foster carers, by joining a collaborative fostering service with neighbouring authorities.

The report also provided details of other services which had experienced overspent budget profiles including the Community and Environment Department; the Complex Care Pool; the Education, Inclusion and Provision Department. Also, details of underspends in Planning and Transportation Department; and Corporate and Democracy.

          The Capital Programme had been revised to reflect a number of changes in spending profiles as schemes had developed, and these were detailed in the report.

          RESOLVED: That

1)    All spending continues to be limited to the absolutely essential;

2)    Strategic Directors take appropriate action to ensure overall spending is contained as far as possible within their total operational budget by year-end; and

3)    Council be recommended to approve the revised Capital Programme as set out in Appendix 2, attached to the report.