Agenda item

The Committee received reports of the Corporate Director of Resources, the first provided details of the final outturn position for Children and Young People’s Services (CYPS), highlighting major variances in comparison with the budget for the year. The second report provided details of the forecast outturn budget position for Children and Young People’s Services highlighting major variances in comparison with the budget for the year, based on the position at the end of quarter one June 2024 (for copy of reports, see file of minutes).

David Watchman, Finance Manager Children and Young People’s Services presented the report detailing revenue outturn for 2023/24. The report outlined a cash limit overspend of £8.390 million for the year, representing circa 4.9% of the total net revenue budget for CYPS. This compared to a forecasted cash limit overspend at quarter three of £8.104 million (4.7%). The dedicated schools grant had an overspend of £1.196m with the high needs block continuing to require high provision. This was further impacted by a pay agreement of 5.5% for teachers that had been announced but was not reflected in the report as School 2025/26 funding was not expected to be announced until the October budget.

Officers responded to a question from Councillor J Clark regarding a deficit noted in the report of the dedicated school’s grant. In 2024 no schools had a licenced deficit but this may not continue into 2025. It was noted that maintained schools were reflected in the table of the report as a negative figure which represents a surplus. The text relating to two specific schools related to data covering 2 financial years. The Officer added that those schools which had voluntarily converted to academics would take any deficits with them as these were not picked up by Durham County Council.

Resolved: The Children and Young People's Overview and Scrutiny Committee noted the contents of the report.</AI4>