Agenda item - Targeted Budget Management Month 4

Report of the Director of Finance and Resources

42.1 The Director of Finance and Resources pointed out that Targeted Budget Management (TBM) Month 6 including recovery plans would be reported to the next Cabinet. She introduced the TBM report Month 4, recognising the delay between reporting to the Executive and Scrutiny.

42.2 The projected overspend of £3.1 million was not dissimilar to overspends at similar stages in previous years. It was very important to reduce the projected overspend and the Council had a good track record in doing this.

42.3 Senior Officers gave replies to questions on the decent homes kitchens and bathrooms programme, forecast overspend in Culture and Enterprise, anticipated growth in physical disability services, Fair access to care services, new risk-sharing arrangements with Section 75 partnership, drop in legal income and on-street parking permit receipts.

42.4 The Directors of Finance and Resources and of Environment set out the current approach to vacancy management. Following a number of more detailed questions on staff vacancy rates, holding vacant posts and recruitment costs it was agreed that a report would be brought to a future meeting.       

42.5 The Director of Finance and Resources said there were always unexpected changes in corporate critical budget forecasts and demand-led services. She reassured the meeting that at present the projected percentage variance of around 1% was well within CIPFA best practice and that the Council did not take forward expenditure to the following financial year.

42.6 RESOLVED 1) that the Overview and Scrutiny Commission notes the report to Cabinet and

2) receives a report to a future meeting on vacancy management.