Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources.

The report provides an update on the revenue budget forecast outturn for the period to the end of June 2024 (Quarter 1). The report also provides an update on the Dedicated Schools Grant, Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and updates to the Capital Programme.

The Cabinet is recommended to:-

(1) Approve the virements to the Revenue Budget;

(2) Note the Cash Limit and Non-Cash Limit forecast outturn positions for 2024/25 as at Quarter 1;

(3) Note the DSG and HRA forecast outturn positions for 2024/25 as at Quarter 1;

(4) Note the update on Reserves;

(5) Note the forecast position for the 2024/25 Capital Programme;

(6) Note the changes to the Capital Programme and re-phasing of schemes during Quarter 1; and

(7) Note the 2024/25 Capital Programme Prudential Indicators.

Officer contact: Jonathan Davies on 0161 218 1025 or email jonathan.davies@stockport.gov.uk.

The Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources (Councillor Jilly Julian) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on the revenue budget forecast outturn for the period to the end of June 2024 (Quarter 1) which included an update on the Dedicated Schools Grant, Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and updates to the Capital Programme, and has:-

RESOLVED - (1) That approval be given to the virements to the Revenue Budget.

(2) That the Cash Limit and Non-Cash Limit forecast outturn positions for 2024/25 as at Quarter 1 be noted.

(3) That the DSG and HRA forecast outturn positions for 2024/25 as at Quarter 1 be noted.

(4) That the update on Reserves be noted.

(5) That the forecast position for the 2024/25 Capital Programme be noted.

(6) That the changes to the Capital Programme and re-phasing of schemes during Quarter 1 be noted.

(7) That the 2024/25 Capital Programme Prudential Indicators be noted.

To consider a report of the Assistant Director of Finance (Interim Section 151 Officer).

The report provides an update on the revenue budget forecast outturn for the period to the end of June 2024 (Quarter 1). The report also provides an update on the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG), Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and Capital Programme as at Quarter 1. 

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to note and comment on the content of the report including the recommendation to Cabinet.

Officer contact: Jonathan Davies on 0161 218 1025 or email jonathan.davies@stockport.gov.uk

The Assistant Director of Finance (Interim Section 151 Officer) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which provided an update on the revenue budget forecast outturn for the period to the end of June 2024 (Quarter 1). The report also provided an update on the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG), Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and Capital Programme as at Quarter 1.

The Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources (Councillor Jilly Julian) attended the meeting to respond to councillor’s questions.

The following comments were made/ issues raised: -

·         Members noted that the overspend had been balanced by the lack of staffing and expressed concern about the effect a full staff might have upon the budget.

·         It was noted that the Housing Revenue Account showed an income from rents at £65 million, with an expenditure of £37 million to Stockport Homes. Members commented that the charge for managing the properties was more than half of the rental income, which appeared to be high compared to that charged by private housing management companies.

·         This Scrutiny Committee would have the opportunity to review the work of Stockport Homes later in the municipal year.

·         The recovery plan for the Childrens and Family portfolio included investments in preventative measures and early help. Work was underway to help to keep children with their families which was ultimately better for children and financially beneficial to the council. It was intended that the recovery plan should go further and faster in investing in preventative work. That included ensuring that the local authority had internal sufficiency of children’s homes, foster carers, that it could retain social workers and maintain foster care recruitment at adequate levels.

·         It was reported that one of the newly purchased children’s homes within the borough would come online in September/October 2024 and that the council had just confirmed the purchase of a second children’s home. Work was ongoing with the Estates team to secure a third property.

·         Delays in opening new children’s homes had been caused by a number of factors including market challenges, locations, health and safety and renovations to ensure that buildings were fit for purpose. There had been a learning curve in the purchase of the first three properties which had helped officers to understand the risks involved. These had been built into future forecasts.

RESOLVED – That the report and the recommendation to Cabinet be noted.