Issue - meetings

A report from the Director of Finance, Resources and Customer Services is attached. This sets out the Council’s revenue budget monitoring position based on information to the end of November 2013. (Key decision – reference number 3761)

(Report No.161)

(8.20 – 8.25 pm)

Councillor Doug Taylor (Leader of the Council) varied the order of the agenda with this report being considered following Report No.165 as detailed in Minute No. 10 below. The minutes follow the order of the published agenda.

Councillor Andrew Stafford (Cabinet Member for Finance and Property) introduced the report of the Director of Finance, Resources and Customer Services (No.161) setting out the Council’s revenue budget monitoring position based on information to the end of November 2013. The report forecast an outturn position of £0.606m overspend for 2013/14.

NOTED

1.               Tables 1 and 2 of the report which set out the summary performance overview and forecast outturn table – net controllable budget/projected outturn figures.

2.               The budget pressures of the Schools and Children’s Services Department as set out in section 5.6 of the report. Andrew Fraser (Director of Schools and Children’s Services) highlighted the national demands and challenges and those facing Enfield in particular. Members noted a projected overspend of £432k based on 94 families which the Authority was currently supporting who had no recourse to public funds. Decisions were awaited from the Border Agency on the future immigration status of these families. The Authority was lobbying ministers on this matter and also had the support of local Members of Parliament. Members discussed their views and concerns and highlighted the need for the matter to be resolved as soon as possible with Government funding being forthcoming to support these families.

3.               Members also noted the projected overspend of £176k in Schools and Children’s Services on unaccompanied asylum seekers as set out in the report.

4.               The increasing demands and challenges also being faced by Adult Social Care services.

5.               The Treasury Management and Cash Flow Analysis set out in section 6 of the report.

6.               The position with regard to the achievement of savings as detailed in section 8 of the report. To date 97% of savings were classified as blue or green which were on course for full achievement.

7.               There had been no deterioration in the financial position of the Authority.

Alternative Options Considered: Not applicable to this report.

DECISION: The Cabinet

1.               Noted the £0.606m overspend revenue outturn projection;

2.               Agreed to direct departments reporting pressures to formulate and implement action plans to ensure that they remain within budget in 2013/14.

Reason: To ensure that Cabinet were aware of the projected budgetary position for the Authority for the current year including all major budget pressures and underspends which had contributed to the present monthly position and that were unlikely to affect the Council’s finances over the period of the Medium Term Financial Plan.

(Key decision – reference number 3761)