Agenda item

The Cabinet considered a report of the Corporate Director of Resources which provided information on:

(a)          the updated forecast revenue and capital outturn for 2022/23, based on the position to 31 December 2022;

          (b)      the dedicated schools grant and updated forecast schools

position as at 31 March 2023, based on the position to 31

December 2022;

          (c)      the updated forecast for the council tax and business rates

collection fund position at 31 March 2023, based on the position to 31 December 2022; and

(d)      details of the updated forecast use of and contributions to earmarked, cash limit and general reserves in 2022/23 and the estimated balances that will be held at 31 March 2023.

To report sought approval of the revised capital programme 2022/23, other budget adjustments and proposed sums treated as outside of the cash limit in year and provided an update on progress towards achieving MTFP(12) savings in 2022/23 (for copy of report see file of minutes).

Councillor R Bell, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Finance and Deputy Leader of the Council thanked the Corporate Director of Resources and his staff for the comprehensive report and continued focus which had been recognised by internal auditors. Councillor R Bell spoke of the significant demands on Council finance and unavoidable cost pressures which were unprecedented at the current time and impacted on everything the Council purchased. There were significant cost pressures in terms of social care and home to school transport. All other services were predicted to overspend this year. Councillor R Bell placed on record his thanks to all managers involved in managing their budgets which was difficult at the best of times.

Resolved:

That the recommendations in the report be approved.