RESOLVED:

that Cabinet Members:

A. Ensure emergency action is continued by all Officers between October and March to improve the forecast position (currently a projected spend over budget at Period 5 of £35.531m). Such action should predominantly focus on reducing spend, increasing income, delivering remaining savings and significant mitigating actions to control in-year spending pressures.

B. Note that Operations Boards, which have been in place from August 2025, continue to challenge all in-year spending.

C. Note that the Period 5 position (as at the end of August) forecasts indicative level of savings delivery of £33.981m (57%),

D. Note the projected General Fund Balance is now negative (£1.251m), indicating a potentially illegal financial position by the end of the financial year if proposed action does not improve this position.

E. Note that, in light of the Council’s current financial position and ongoing engagement with MHCLG, active discussions regarding Exceptional Financial Support (EFS) have commenced