Agenda item

The Committee considered the Joint Report of the Corporate Director of Resources and Corporate Director of Regeneration and Local Services which set out details of the outturn budget position for the former Neighbourhood Services group highlighting major variances in comparison with the budget. The Finance Manager, Regeneration and Local Services gave a presentation (for copies, see file of minutes).

Councillor Martin congratulated departments on meeting the cuts year on year but asked how this was being done.

The Finance Manager responded that they had a high focus on keeping expenditure down using underspends, achieving savings and getting the best from contracts in the last few years.

The Chair advised that this was not a choice and the Council had tried to reduce the impact on front line services.

Councillor Crute indicated that the budget savings had been achieved through prudent management of the Council, choices had been made and pressures to spend reserves had been resisted. This was a sensible approach as once reserves are spent they are gone.

Councillor Howell indicated that it was difficult to assess performance against a budget and would like to see a year on year comparison.

Resolved: That the Quarter 1 forecast outturn position on Revenue and Capital for 2017/18 be noted.