Lead Member – Councillor D Minnery – Portfolio Holder for Finance

Report of the Head of Finance, Governance and Assurance [s151 Officer]

Contact: James Walton      Tel: 01743 258915

RESOLVED:

i)             That it be noted that at the end of Quarter 2 [30 September 2018], the full year revenue forecast is a potential overspend of £1.287M;

ii)            That the impact of i) on the Council’s General Fund balance be considered;

iii)           That the suggested management action that could be taken to reduce the forecast overspend to nil, be considered.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance presented a report from the Head of Finance, Governance and Assurance [s151 Officer] setting out the projected revenue expenditure for the whole of 2018/19 as at Quarter 2 and set out the capital expenditure up to the end of Quarter 2.  He drew attention to the management action that had been identified to potentially bring down the overspend position to £1.287M. 

The Leader added that every effort was being made to reduce the effects on local people; he stated that he had confidence in this and next year’s budget position.  The Chief Executive stressed that all decisions were jointly made through close liaison between Officers and Cabinet and thanked everyone for their efforts.

Other Members commented on overspends in Adult Social Care and Children’s Services and were concerned about the introduction of the Friday ‘lock out’ of staff from Shirehall.  The Chief Executive gave assurances that all issues relating to the working from home initiative would be assessed and addressed and the Council and its staff would continue to adapt to new ways of working.

Responding to Members’ queries regarding the Council’s purchase of Shrewsbury shopping centres, the Chief Executive stressed that this was a long-term investment, a profit was being made and the Centres were currently being managed by an offshore Trust.  The Leader stressed that the Council had invested within its own area; authorities that had purchased outside of their own areas had received negative comments from CIPFA.

The Leader agreed the benefit of holding a Member workshop in the New Year in order to fully brief all Members on the Council’s Shopping Centres project.  This was agreed by all.

RESOLVED:

i)             That it be noted that at the end of Quarter 2 [30 September 2018], the full year revenue forecast is a potential overspend of £1.287M;

ii)            That the impact of i) on the Council’s General Fund balance be considered;

iii)           That the suggested management action that could be taken to reduce the forecast overspend to nil, be considered.