Decision details

The Service Director – Finance & Improvement Services provided a report that provided Members that set out the financial and operational performance of the Council as at Quarter 2 2021/22. 

Members were advised that the Quarter 2 revenue budget position was projecting a £0.726M overspend and reflected the continuation of key pressures primarily within Adult and Children’s Services. He added that work was underway across all services, as part of the Council’s robust service and financial management arrangements.

Members were referred to the projected revenue budget position in the context of the significant on-going impact of Covid-19 on service delivery and were advised that it took into account additional Welsh Government funding to support additional costs and income losses, as a direct result of the pandemic.   Members were reassured 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.

Capital investment as at 30th September 2021 is £31.718M, 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 progress made during the first 6 months of the year continues the Council’s approach of long term and sustained investment in infra-structure, the impact of which is supporting visible improvements in assets across the County Borough, taking account of Covid-19 safety requirements.

The Cabinet Member Corporate Services commented that it was pleasing to see that work was underway across all services as part of the Council’s robust Service and financial management arrangements to contribute to bringing the financial position closer in line with the budget. He added that it was important that we 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 pressures.  He concluded that it was pleasing to see progress being made with capital investment projects despite the pandemic.

The Leader added that he was also pleased to see progress with the projects and, and was able to visit a few schools in the Borough to see the progress first hand.   He referred to the ongoing pressures in Adult and Children’s Social Care was  heavily linked to hospital discharges.  He reassured that they were still pressuring Welsh Government for additional funding in that area

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 lifted. Revenue

2. To note and agree the General Fund revenue outturn position of the Council as at the 30th September 2021 (Section 2 of the Executive Summary) and to 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 September 2021 (Sections 3a – e of the Executive Summary)

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

5. To note the Quarter 2 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).