DECISION

1.    To note the Council’s projected outturn position against General Fund, Dedicated Schools Budget, Housing Revenue Account and earmarked reserves for 2021-22, based on forecasts as at 31^st December 2021;

2.    To note the reserves position of the Council is uncertain pending the closure of the statement of accounts for the period 2016 – 2021;

3.    To note the progress made against the 2021-22 savings targets, based on forecasts as at 31^st December 2021;

4.    To note the Council’s projected outturn position against General Fund and Housing Revenue Account capital programme approved budgets, based on forecasts as at 31^st December 2021;

5.    To note that there are no equalities implications directly resulting from this report, as set out in Section 4 of the report.

Action by:

INTERIM CORPORATE DIRECTOR, RESOURCES (K. BARTLE)

(Head of Strategic Finance and Chief Accountant (A. Khan)

Councillor Candida Ronald, Cabinet Member for Resources and the Voluntary Sector, introduced the quarterly budget monitoring report. She highlighted the forecast for a slight overspend on general fund at year end. The schools budget had a forecast for a slight underspend.

The Housing Revenue Account and the Health Grant were both showing small underspends.

However, the Covid-19 impact was still likely to be variable and was being closely monitored. Some impacts such as lower council tax collection rates were being seen. There were still big risks in some areas such as around homelessness.

The Mayor welcomed the report. He highlighted that all Cabinet Members monitored the budget forecasts in relation to their areas. He proposed the recommendations as set out. These were agreed unanimously by the Members present and it was:

RESOLVED

1.    To note the Council’s projected outturn position against General Fund, Dedicated Schools Budget, Housing Revenue Account and earmarked reserves for 2021-22, based on forecasts as at 31^st December 2021;

2.    To note the reserves position of the Council is uncertain pending the closure of the statement of accounts for the period 2016 – 2021;

3.    To note the progress made against the 2021-22 savings targets, based on forecasts as at 31^st December 2021;

4.    To note the Council’s projected outturn position against General Fund and Housing Revenue Account capital programme approved budgets, based on forecasts as at 31^st December 2021;

5.    To note that there are no equalities implications directly resulting from this report, as set out in Section 4 of the report.