Decision details

The Service Director of Finance and Improvement provided the Cabinet with the Council’s financial and operational performance position as at the 31st December 2022.

The Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Corporate Services acknowledged the challenges set out in the report, including the ongoing cost-of-living crisis and impact of Covid-19, which was reflected in the Quarter 3 revenue budget position, projecting a £10.469M full year overspend. The Cabinet Member was pleased to note the improved position with Leisure for Life membership numbers increasing and returning to pre-pandemic levels.

The Leader thanked officers for the work over the past 12 months in identifying savings, despite the extreme pressures; and stated that the Council were in a better position going forward.

The Deputy Leader reiterated the Leader’s comments and took the opportunity to thank officers across all areas for their continued support. The Deputy Leader advised that People, Place and Priority remained key but that it was becoming more difficult during the financial climate. The Deputy Leader spoke highly of the Climate Change Cabinet Sub-Committee and its work, which remained a key focus going forward.

The Cabinet RESOLVED:

      I.         To note the context of the Council’s Services continuing to manage the on-going effects of communities recovering from the pandemic and the United Kingdom wide cost-of-living crisis, both of which are contributing to increases in demand for many services and significant inflationary cost pressures.

Revenue

     II.         To note and agree the General Fund revenue outturn position of the Council as at the 31st December 2022 (Section 2 of the Executive Summary).

Capital

   III.         To note the capital outturn position of the Council as at the 31st December 2022 (Sections 3a – e of the Executive Summary). To note the details of the Treasury Management Prudential Indicators as at the 31st December 2022 (Section 3f of the Executive Summary).

Corporate Plan Priorities

  IV.         To note the Quarter 3 progress updates for the Council’s Corporate Plan priorities (Sections 5 a – c of the Executive Summary).

    V.         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).

  VI.         To note the progress update in respect of the Council’s response to tackling Climate Change (Section 7 of the Executive Summary).