Agenda item

The Committee received a report which provided details of the 2022/23 revenue and capital budget outturn position for the Adult and Health Services (AHS) service grouping, which highlighted major variances in comparison with the budget for the year. A further report was received which provided the Committee with details of the forecast outturn budget position for the Adult and Health Services service grouping, highlighting major variances in comparison with the budget for the year,

based on the position to the end of June 2023. (for copy see file of minutes).

Joanne Watson, Principal Accountant gave a detailed presentation which provided an overview of the following:

•        2022/23 Revenue Outturn and Variance Explanations;

•        2022/23 Outturn Capital Position;

•        2023/24 Quarter 1 Revenue Forecast Outturn and Variance Explanations;

•        2023/24 Quarter 1 Capital Position

Councillor Quinn asked if vacant posts had impacted on the workloads of current staff and morale.

The Principal Accountant indicated that there were a number of vacancies but she believed that this was in hand and they had plans in place to resolve this. She was unable to comment with regard to staff morale.

The Principal Overview and Scrutiny Officer advised Members that the results of the recent staff wellbeing survey would be reported to the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Management Board to be held on 23 October 2023.

The Director Integrated Community Services indicated that the vacant posts did have an impact on workloads of staff and the majority of the vacancies were in commissioning and the adult social care assessment side which was a national issue with not enough social workers coming through. They were very conscious about County Durham Care and Support been properly staffed and they do over recruit where they could.

Councillor Higgins suggested that it would be helpful to know how long vacant posts had been vacant.

The Director Integrated Community Services responded that he would get this information to Members.

Resolved: That the financial position be noted.