Issue - meetings

Resourcing Better Outcomes - Finance and Corporate Performance Report for July (Period 4)

 

 

Meeting: 13/10/2022 - Policy and Resources Scrutiny Committee (Item 362)

362 Resourcing Better Outcomes – Finance and Corporate Performance Report 2022/23 – Period 4 pdf icon PDF 248 KB

Minute No. 314 (Cabinet Book 1, Agenda Item No. 5 refers)

Referred direct by Cabinet to all three Scrutiny Committees for consideration

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered Minute 314 of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 29 September 2022, which had been referred directly to each of the scrutiny committees, together with a report of the Executive Director (Finance and Resources) reviewing the Council’s financial performance.

 

The relevant Cabinet Members undertook to provide written responses to questions raised by members of the Committee, with regard to:

 

·             The make-up of the interim/agency/fixed term/temporary consultancy expenditure by the Council currently estimated to be over £10m in 2021/22.

·             The cost of the recruitment of permanent officers to establishment positions, compared with the cost of the engagement of interim/agency staff to temporarily fill such positions.

·             The Council’s arrangements for the refurbishment and re-use of redundant ICT equipment, to support the delivery of ICT savings.

·             The effect on service provision of the nationally agreed increase in annual leave entitlement for local government officers.

 

Resolved:

 

That the following recommendations of the Cabinet be noted:

 

“That, in respect of the 2022/23 Revenue Budget Performance as set out in appendix 1 to the submitted report:

 

1. That the forecast outturn for 2022/23 for the General Fund and the Housing Revenue Account as at 31 July 2022, be noted.

 

2. That the management action taken and to be taken to reduce the forecast overspend of the Council’s revenue budget for 2022/23, be noted.

 

3. That the transfer of £500,000 from HRA reserves to support the increase in repairs and maintenance costs, be approved.

 

4. That the planned budget transfers (virements) of £2,327,766 from earmarked reserves, as set out in the report, be approved.

 

That, in respect of the 2022/23 Capital Budget Performance as set out in appendix 2 of this report:

 

5. That the expenditure to date and the forecast outturn as at 31 July 2022 and its financing, be noted.

 

6. That the requested changes to the capital investment programme for 2022/23 and future years, as set out in section 4 of appendix 2 to the report, be approved.

 

7. That the Corporate Performance Report as at 31 July 2022 set out in appendix 3 to the report, be noted.”

 

Note: This is a Council Function

Cabinet Members: Councillors S George and P Collins

 

 

Meeting: 11/10/2022 - People Scrutiny Committee (Item 350)

350 Resourcing Better Outcomes – Finance and Corporate Performance Report 2022/23 – Period 4 pdf icon PDF 248 KB

Minute No. 314 (Cabinet Book 1, Agenda Item No. 5 refers)

Referred direct to all three Scrutiny Committees for consideration

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered Minute 314 of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 29 September 2022, which had been referred directly to each of the scrutiny committees, together with a report of the Executive Director (Finance and Resources) reviewing the Council’s financial performance.

 

The relevant Cabinet Members undertook to provide written responses to questions raised by members of the Committee with regard to the following:

 

·             The forecast overspends on Adult Social Care for 2022/23 and whether the budget is on-track for the year.

·             The composition, work programme and reporting arrangements of the Council’s Workforce Transformation Panel, including the delivery of the ‘Service Delivery Change Programme.’

·             The effect on relevant service provision of the nationally agreed increases in allowances and annual leave entitlement for local government officers.

 

Resolved:

 

That the following recommendations of the Cabinet be noted:

 

“That, in respect of the 2022/23 Revenue Budget Performance as set out in appendix 1 to the submitted report:

 

1. That the forecast outturn for 2022/23 for the General Fund and the Housing Revenue Account as at 31 July 2022, be noted.

 

2. That the management action taken and to be taken to reduce the forecast overspend of the Council’s revenue budget for 2022/23, be noted.

 

3. That the transfer of £500,000 from HRA reserves to support the increase in repairs and maintenance costs, be approved.

 

4. That the planned budget transfers (virements) of £2,327,766 from earmarked reserves, as set out in the report, be approved.

 

That, in respect of the 2022/23 Capital Budget Performance as set out in appendix 2 of this report:

 

5. That the expenditure to date and the forecast outturn as at 31 July 2022 and its financing, be noted.

 

6. That the requested changes to the capital investment programme for 2022/23 and future years, as set out in section 4 of appendix 2 to the report, be approved.

 

7. That the Corporate Performance Report as at 31 July 2022 set out in appendix 3 to the report, be noted.”

 

Note: This is a Council Function

Cabinet Members: Councillors S George and P Collins

 

Meeting: 10/10/2022 - Place Scrutiny Committee (Item 336)

336 Resourcing Better Outcomes – Finance and Corporate Performance Report 2022/23 – Period 4 pdf icon PDF 248 KB

Minute No. 314 (Cabinet Book 1, Agenda Item No.5 refers)

Referred direct by Cabinet to all three Scrutiny Committees for consideration

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered Minute 314 of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 29th September 2022, which had been referred direct by Cabinet for scrutiny by each of the Scrutiny Committees, together with a report of the Executive Director (Finance & Resources) reviewing the Council’s financial performance.

 

The Committee discussed the report in some detail and asked a number of questions of the relevant Cabinet Members.  In response to questions on the following matters, the relevant Cabinet Member undertook to provide written responses:

 

• the increase in cost for handling cashless payments for parking;

• the cost of implementing the Southend Pass parking scheme;

• the figure used in the report as the level of inflation;

• the level of reserves that has been built up by the Council that are available, its utilisation and what they can be used for;

• an explanation of what the carry forward of £529k in respect of the Bell Junction scheme relates to;

• when the approval was granted by Cabinet for the procurement of the Waste Disposable Contract, a brief outline of the decision-making process that was followed and if not and explanation as to why this was not the case;

• a breakdown of the where the “Works to property” will be spent totalling £7.790m as detailed on page 3 of Appendix 2 Capital Investment Programme; and

• what the loss of revenue of £60k as mentioned in paragraph 4.23 of the report under Park and Ground Maintenance relates to.

 

Resolved:-

 

That the following recommendations of Cabinet be noted:-

 

“1. That, in respect of the 2022/23 Revenue Budget Performance as set out in Appendix 1 to the submitted report:

 

1. That the forecast outturn for 2022/23 for the General Fund and the Housing Revenue Account as at 31 July 2022, be noted.

 

2. That the management action taken and to be taken to reduce the forecast overspend of the Council’s revenue budget for 2022/23, be noted.

 

3. That the transfer of £500,000 from HRA reserves to support the increase in repairs and maintenance costs, be approved.

 

4. That the planned budget transfers (virements) of £2,327,766 from earmarked reserves, as set out in the submitted report, be approved.

 

2. That, in respect of the 2022/23 Capital Budget Performance as set out in Appendix 2 of the submitted report:

 

5. That the expenditure to date and the forecast outturn as at 31 July 2022 and its financing, be noted.

 

6. That the requested changes to the capital investment programme for 2022/23 and future years, as set out in section 4 of Appendix 2 to the submitted report, be approved.

 

7. That the Corporate Performance Report as at 31 July 2022 set out in Appendix 3 to the submitted report, be noted.

 

Note: This is a Council Function

Cabinet Members: Cllr George and Cllr Collins

Meeting: 29/09/2022 - Cabinet (Item 314)

314 Resourcing Better Outcomes - Finance and Corporate Performance Report for July (Period 4) pdf icon PDF 248 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Cabinet considered a report of the Executive Director (Finance and Resources) reviewing the Council’s financial performance.

 

Recommended:

 

That, in respect of the 2022/23 Revenue Budget Performance as set out in appendix 1 to the submitted report:

 

1. That the forecast outturn for 2022/23 for the General Fund and the Housing Revenue Account as at 31 July 2022, be noted.

 

2. That the management action taken and to be taken to reduce the forecast overspend of the Council’s revenue budget for 2022/23, be noted.

 

3. That the transfer of £500,000 from HRA reserves to support the increase in repairs and maintenance costs, be approved.

 

4. That the planned budget transfers (virements) of £2,327,766 from earmarked reserves, as set out in the report, be approved.

 

That, in respect of the 2022/23 Capital Budget Performance as set out in appendix 2 of this report:

 

5. That the expenditure to date and the forecast outturn as at 31 July 2022 and its financing, be noted.

 

6. That the requested changes to the capital investment programme for 2022/23 and future years, as set out in section 4 of appendix 2 to the report, be approved.

 

7. That the Corporate Performance Report as at 31 July 2022 set out in appendix 3 to the report, be noted.

 

Reasons for recommendations:

 

1. The regular reporting of Revenue and Capital Budget Monitoring information provides detailed financial information to Councillors, senior officers and other interested parties on the financial performance of the Council.  It sets out the key variances being reported by budget holders and the associated management action being implemented to address any identified issues.  It also informs decision making to ensure that the Council’s priorities are delivered within the approved budget provision.

 

2. It is important that any adverse variances are addressed in order for the Council to remain within the approved budget provision or where this cannot be achieved by individual service management action, alternative proposals are developed and solutions proposed which will address the financial impact. Councillors will have a key role in approving any actions if the alternative proposals represent significant changes to the service delivery arrangements originally approved by them.

 

3. The challenge of delivering a balanced financial outturn for 2022/23 is significant. Even at this very early stage of the year – urgent action is needed to try to reduce all non-essential expenditure and/or generate extra income.  This priority must be achieved whilst ensuring that our most vulnerable residents are looked after appropriately, and our statutory responsibilities are effectively discharged.  Improving efficiency and productivity is essential but the scale of the unprecedented financial pressures will inevitably lead to a reduction in the range, quality, cost and responsiveness of other discretionary Council services. 

 

Other options:

 

The Council could choose to monitor its budgetary performance against an alternative timeframe, but it is considered that the current reporting schedule provides the appropriate balance to allow strategic oversight of the budget by Councillors and to also formally manage the Council’s exposure to financial risk. More  ...  view the full minutes text for item 314

Meeting: 13/09/2022 - Cabinet (Item 5.)

5. Resourcing Better Outcomes - Finance and Corporate Performance Report for July (Period 4) pdf icon PDF 248 KB

Report of Executive Director (Finance and Resources) to follow

Additional documents:

 

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