Issue - meetings

The Executive Board considered the revenue budget monitoring report which provided the latest budgetary position as at 30th June 2020, in respect of 2020/2021.  The budget position recognised the substantial additional pressures that had been placed on the Authority in responding to the Covid 19 pandemic.  

Overall, the monitoring report forecasted an end of year overspend of £7,400K on the Authority’s net revenue budget with an overspend at departmental level of £8,000k.

The Executive Board’s attention was drawn to the fact that the forecast did not include any allowance for reduction in Council Tax collection and this was being closely monitored by the Director of Corporate Services.

The report confirmed that the Authority was submitting a monthly hardship claim to Welsh Government for additional Covid-19 expenditure.  The majority of costs were being refunded, though some were deemed ineligible and it was not clear how long the funding mechanism would continue.

In light of the significant forecasted overspends at departmental level, Chief Officers and Heads of Service were asked to critically review options available to them to limit the forecasted overspend of budgets, whilst recognising the pressure Covid-19 had placed on the Authority’s overall budget.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that:

8.1       The Budget Monitoring report be received, and consideration given to the budgetary position and appropriate corrective action.

8.2       Chief Officers and Heads of Service critically review options available to them to limit the forecasted overspend of budgets, whilst recognising the pressure Covid-19 has placed on the Authority’s overall budget.