Issue - meetings

To consider a report by Councillor Julian Thompson-Hill, Lead Member for Finance, Performance and Strategic Assets (copy enclosed) detailing the latest financial position and progress against the agreed budget strategy.

RESOLVED that Cabinet note the budgets set for 2018/19 and progress against the agreed budget strategy.

Councillor Julian Thompson-Hill presented the report detailing the latest financial position and progress against the agreed budget strategy.  He provided a summary of the Council’s financial position as follows –

·        the net revenue budget for 2018/19 was £194.418m (£189.252m in 2017/18)

·        an overspend of £0.964m was forecast for service and corporate budgets

·        detailed agreed savings and efficiencies worth £4.6m including those which had already been achieved with the assumption that all service efficiencies/savings would be delivered – any exceptions would be reported to Cabinet if required

·        highlighted current risks and variances relating to individual service areas, and

·        provided a general update on the Housing Revenue Account, Housing Capital Plan and the Capital Plan (including the Corporate Plan element).

The following matters were raised during debate –

·         funding for the rise in teachers’ pensions was being considered as part of the budget preparations for next year.  Dialogue was ongoing between UK and Welsh Governments in this regard and whilst it was expected that the cost implication would be funded confirmation of that position was still awaited

·         Councillor Arwel Roberts queried the potential for school clusters to access community funding benefits arising from Windfarm developments and Councillor Huw Hilditch-Roberts encouraged all school clusters and other bodies to bid for additional funding to benefit their communities.  Councillor Richard Mainon confirmed that the Council was well placed to help and support any groups coming forward in order to put a good case together and maximise the chances of success in accessing that funding

·         there was a total budget of £23.813m for the Rhyl Faith School (£7.005m expenditure to date and anticipated expenditures of £8.122m in 2018/19 and £8.686m in 2019/20); the funding was paid in tranches throughout the term of the contract dependent on when certain points in construction were achieved

·         there was no financial impact arising from the Education Minster’s decision in respect of Ysgol Llanbedr as the Council had continued to fund the school whilst the decision was awaited and would continue to do so – the Council’s decision had been based on surplus places as opposed to funding issues.    There had been a change to the school organisation code and pupil numbers had increased and the educational offer for the area was considered appropriate.

RESOLVED that Cabinet note the budgets set for 2018/19 and progress against the agreed budget strategy.

At this juncture (11.40 a.m.) the meeting adjourned for a refreshment break.