Decision details

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: Yes

Is subject to call in?: No

Decisions:

The Service Director, Finance & Improvement provided Members with an overview of the Council’s performance, both from a financial and operational perspective, based on the first three months of this financial year (to the 30th June 2021).

 

The Service Director advised that the report was set in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic continuing to pose significant challenges in the delivery of Council Services alongside on-going significant additional costs and income losses that have, to date, been funded in the majority of cases by Welsh Government.

 

Members were advised that the Quarter 1 revenue budget position was projecting a £0.415M overspend, which was an early projection for the full year and reflects the impact of forecasted changes in demand through to year-end, with key pressures being primarily within Adult Social Care and Children’s Services, and takes account of forecasted additional costs and income losses as a direct result of the Covid-19 pandemic (that are assumed to be fully funded by Welsh Government).  The Service Director advised that work will continue to closely monitor the Council’s financial position, refresh financial forecasts as updated information becomes available and continue to engage with Welsh Government to highlight the importance of providing additional funding to support the financial implications of Covid-19 and also on-going permanent cost pressures.

 

In respect of Capital investment as at 30th June 2021 this stood at £10.624M, with a number of schemes being re-profiled during the quarter to reflect changes in costs and also new external grant funding approvals received. The expenditure to date represents the continuation of a long-term programme of investment that is supporting visible improvements to infrastructure and assets across the County Borough, taking account of Covid-19 safety requirements.

 

With regard to the Council’s Corporate Plan priorities of People, Places and Prosperity, overall, good progress has been made during the first three months of the year.

 

The Service Director concluded his report by advising of the third progress update on the delivery of recommendations to enhance the Council’s response to extreme weather events, which shows a positive position, with key actions being taken forward that provide a clear direction for the future.

 

The Cabinet Member for Corporate Services thanked officers for the report and commented on the projected overspend and the pressures facing the Council in respect of social services and the need for continued support from Welsh Government to assist in easing these pressures.  The Cabinet Member welcomed the continued investment in the capital programme and the continued works undertaken which ran alongside the remedial works needed across the County Borough following the adverse weather conditions.  The Cabinet Member paid tribute to Council staff and spoke of the additional pressures placed on services due to the covid pandemic which may have had an affect on the slight rise in sickness levels.

The Cabinet Member continued by providing a detailed overview of the positive works of the Council in a range of different services which primarily looked at improving the services provided to the residents of Rhondda Cynon Taf.

 

The Leader echoed the comments of the Cabinet Member and spoke of the continuation by the Council of core services during the pandemic and also the evolution of new services to help support residents and partners during this time, with Innovative ways of thinking and delivering of services to ensure the safety of all.

 

The Deputy Leader took the opportunity to pay tribute to the hard work and dedication of Council staff during the pandemic and beyond.

 

The Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Welsh Language spoke of the pressures placed on the social care sector and the need for Welsh Government to be alive to the pressures and the need for additional support within this area and again paid tribute to the staff in this sector for going above and beyond for the benefit of others.

 

The Leader commented that the pressures with social care were acute across Wales and welcomed any additional funding that could be secured from Welsh Government.

 

Following discussions, it was RESOLVED:

 

1.       To note the on-going impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on service delivery and, in parallel, the re-introduction of services as Covid-19 restrictions are gradually lifted

 

Revenue

 

2.       To note and agree the General Fund revenue outturn position of the Council as at the 30th June 2021 (Section 2 of the Executive Summary) and note the incorporation of Welsh Government Covid-19 funding into this position to support on-going service delivery

 

Capital

 

3.       To note the capital outturn position of the Council as at the 30th June 2021 (Sections 3a – e of the Executive Summary).

 

4.       To note the details of the Treasury Management Prudential Indicators as at the 30th June 2021 (Section 3f of the Executive Summary).

 

Corporate Plan Priorities

 

5.       To note the Quarter 1 progress updates for the Council’s Corporate Plan priorities (Sections 5 a – c of the Executive Summary).

 

6.       To note the progress update to enhance the Council’s Short term and long-term response to extreme weather events (section 6 of the Executive Summary)

Publication date: 21/09/2021

Date of decision: 21/09/2021

Decided at meeting: 21/09/2021 - Cabinet

Accompanying Documents: