Issue - meetings

The Board received a report from the Operational Director – Finance, advising of the Council’s overall revenue net spending position as at 30 September 2020, together with a forecast outturn position.

Appendix 1 presented a summary of spending against the operational revenue budget up to 30 September 2020 and Appendix 2 provided detailed figures for each individual Department.  It was reported that in overall terms the outturn forecast for the year showed that net spend would be over the approved budget by £4.752m.  In comparison to the forecasted overspend of £6.951m reported at the end of June 2020, this represented a significantly improved position, but was still of great concern.  Appendix 3 presented the Capital Programme as at 30 September 2020, with a number of revisions, as listed in the report.

The report also provided the Board with details of the financial impacts of Covid-19 and the Government funding made available to the Council to date.  It was reported that there was a forecast shortfall in Government funding of £10.924m, this was summarised in Table A, paragraph 3.16 of the report.

RESOLVED:  That

1)    all spending continues to be limited to only absolutely essential items;

2)    departments seek to implement those approved budget savings proposals which currently remain to be actioned;

3)    Strategic Directors take urgent action to identify areas where spending could be reduced or suspended for the remainder of the current financial year; and

4)    Council be requested to approve the revisions to the Capital Programme, as set out in paragraph 3.19.