Issue - meetings

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

The purpose of the report is to provide an update on the revenue budget forecast outturn as at the end of December 2024 (Quarter 3). The report also provides an update on the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG), Housing Revenue Account (HRA), Collection Fund, Reserves and Capital Programme as at Quarter 3.

The Cabinet is recommended to:-

(1) Note the Cash Limit and Non-Cash Limit forecast outturn positions for 2024/25 as at Quarter 3;

(2) Note the DSG, HRA and Collection Fund forecast outturn positions for 2024/25 as at Quarter 3;

(3) Note the update on Reserves;

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

(5) Note the changes to the Capital Programme and re-phasing of schemes during Quarter 3; and

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

Officer contact: Jonathan Davies on 0161 218 1025 or by email at 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 December 2024 (Quarter 3) which also provided an update on the Dedicated Schools Grant, Housing Revenue Account, Collection Fund, Reserves and updates to the Capital Programme.

RESOLVED - (1) That the cash limit and non-Cash Limit forecast outturn positions for 2024/25 as at Quarter 3 be noted.

(2) That the Dedicated Schools Grant, Housing Revenue Account and Collection Fund forecast outturn positions for 2024/25 as at Quarter 3 be noted.

(3) That the update on Reserves be noted,

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

(5) That the changes to the Capital Programme and re-phasing of schemes during Quarter 3 be noted.

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

To consider a report of the Director of Finance (Section 151 Officer) and Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources.

The report provides an update on the revenue budget forecast outturn as at the end of December 2024 (Quarter 3). The report also provides an update on the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG), Housing Revenue Account (HRA), Collection Fund, Reserves and Capital Programme as at Quarter 3.

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

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

The Director of Finance (Section 151 Officer) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on the revenue budget forecast outturn as at the end of December 2024 (Quarter 3). The report also provided an update on the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG), Housing Revenue Account (HRA), Collection Fund, Reserves and Capital Programme as at Quarter 3.

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 were pleased to note the increase in the reserve.

·         The profit made on rental income from Stockport Homes properties was based on rent charged, which was set by central Government. Furthermore, there were costs associated with providing social housing, as set out by the Housing Revenue Account (HRA). In those circumstances, any surplus in housing revenue was a positive position.

·         The detailed review of children’s and families services included an analysis of the placement for every looked after child in the borough to ensure that their placement was right to achieve the best outcome for them. That was also the most cost effective approach for the council; the right financial outcomes went hand in hand with the right outcome for the child.

·         The council continued to search for opportunities to increase its sufficiency of provision for children’s homes. Where the council was able to establish a residential home, it made a positive difference not only financially but in terms of outcomes for children when they were able to reside in their hometown. 

·         That review was also an opportunity for the council to look not only at national issues around children’s and family care, but also to consider what the council could do locally in terms of provision.

·         The savings achieved through vacancies were as a result of the council being unable to fill those vacancies. 

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