Lead Member – Councillor Roger Evans, Portfolio Holder for Finance

Lead Officer – Duncan Whitfield, Interim Director Finance Improvement (Section 151 Officer)

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet Members:

A.   Ensured emergency action is continued by all Officers during the last quarter of the financial year to improve further the Council’s projected year end position. Such action should predominantly focus on reducing spend, increasing income, delivering remaining savings and significant mitigating actions to control in-year spending pressures.

B.   Supported the review of the Operations Boards, which have been in place from August 2025, to ensure these are delivering the greatest impact in terms of challenging spend across the Council. The impact of these boards will continue to inform future Finance Monitoring reports.

C.   Considered the projected spend over budget at Period 9 of £53.261m, adjusted to £50.745m following the release of £2.516m from the Financial Strategy Reserve.

D.   Considered the indicative level of savings delivery at Period 9 of £18.177m (30%).

E.   Considered the projected General Fund Balance of £5m if the Council secures Exceptional Financial Support in 2025/26.

F.    Cabinet Members noted the projected deficit on the Dedicated Schools Grant and the approach to reviewing this

To scrutinise financial monitoring at Quarter 3 and identify issues that may require further investigation by an Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

REPORT TO FOLLOW