Issue - meetings

The Executive Board considered the attached report:-

RECOMMENDED: That

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

2)         Directorates continue to closely control spending on agency staff and additional hours (including overtime) so that spending in these areas reduces in each succeeding quarter;

3)         Strategic Directors ensure overall spending at year-end is within their total operational budget;

4)         the revised capital programme as set out in Appendix 2 be approved; and

5)         implementation of the 2012/13 budget proposals listed in paragraph 3.13 of the report, subject to the inclusion of the amended figures reported, be approved.

            The Executive Board had considered a report of the Operational Director, Finance on 2011/12 Half Year Spending.

A summary of spending against the revenue budget up to 30 September 2011 was attached to the report at Appendix 1. In overall terms, the revenue expenditure was above the budget profile, although this was only a guide to eventual spending.

            Action Plan was approved which aimed to restrict spending by year end within its bottom-line operational budget. The required actions had been put in place and would continue to be applied during the remainder of the year.

         The report contained a number of budget proposals for 2012/13. Members noted that a number of these proposals could be implemented immediately, to achieve a part-year saving for 2011/12, to assist in keeping the overall spending in line with budget.

The report also outlined details of a revision to the capital spending programme and  monitoring of the Council’s balance sheet.

RESOLVED:

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

2)         Directorates continue to closely control spending on agency staff and additional hours (including overtime) so that spending in these areas reduced in each succeeding quarter;

3)         Strategic Directors ensure overall spending at year-end was within their total operational budget;

4)         the revised capital programme as set out in Appendix 2 be approved; and

5)         implementation of the 2012/13 budget proposals listed in paragraph 3.13 of the report, subject to the inclusion of the amended figures reported, be approved.

            The Board received a report of the Operational Director, Finance which reported on the 2011/12 Half Year Spending as at 30 September 2011.

            A summary of spending against the revenue budget up to 30 September 2011 was attached to the report at Appendix 1. This provided individual statements for each department. The Board was advised that in overall terms, the revenue expenditure was above the budget profile, although this was only a guide to eventual spending.

            The Board was reminded that, at its meeting on 22 September 2011, an Action Plan was approved which aimed to restrict spending by year end within its bottom-line operational budget. It was noted that the required actions had been put in place and would continue to be applied during the remainder of the year.

            The report contained a number of budget proposals for 2012/13. Members noted that a number of these proposals could be implemented immediately, to achieve a part-year saving for 2011/12, to assist in keeping the overall spending in line with budget. Since the report was written, three figures had been amended and these were reported as follows:

• Reduction in the number of externally commissioned placements for children in care (£100,000);
• Open spaces- reduction in security in parks (£50,000); and
• Supporting People – efficiency saving in external and in-house services following revue of current SP funding (£100,000) and an underspend in Supporting People budgets (£473,000 one-off).

The report also outlined details of a revision to the capital spending programme and  monitoring of the Council’s balance sheet.

RESOLVED: That

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

2)         Directorates continue to closely control spending on agency staff and additional hours (including overtime) so that spending in these areas reduces in each succeeding quarter;

3)         Strategic Directors ensure overall spending at year-end is within their total operational budget;

4)         Council be recommended to approve the revised capital programme as set out in Appendix 2; and

5)         Council be recommended to approve implementation of the 2012/13 budget proposals listed in paragraph 3.13 of the report, subject to the inclusion of the amended figures reported.