Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources presenting the year-end forecasts, financial pressures on the Council during the Quarter ended 30^th September 2023 and performance against certain key financial performance indicators.

RESOLVED that it is noted that:

                    (1)         the forecast year end position is currently for a decrease to the Council’s General Fund balance of £1,078k against a budgeted decrease of £104k;

                    (2)         the details of specific budgetary issues identified by officers and the actions being taken to address those issues;

                    (3)         the current level of Capital expenditure as shown in Appendix 1 of the report.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources that presented the year-end forecasts, financial pressures on the Council during the Quarter ended 30^th September 2023 and performance against certain key financial performance indicators.

The Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources highlighted the decrease to the General Fund balance versus the budgeted position (2.1).  She detailed some of the major pressures on the Council (4.3) and within her own portfolio (5.4).  The Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Strategy noted the challenges faced in her portfolio and advised that measures being taken to increase accommodation available were already having a positive impact for both the finances and residents.  The Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure anticipated that the cost pressure of operating the leisure service (5.14) would improve following the appointment of Freedom Leisure.  He informed Members that he was very happy with progress being made in his portfolio and thanked the Head of Culture and all staff.  The Cabinet Member for Environment commented that national factors had had a negative impact on the overall position.

RESOLVED that it is noted that:

                    (1)         the forecast year end position is currently for a decrease to the Council’s General Fund balance of £1,078k against a budgeted decrease of £104k;

                    (2)         the details of specific budgetary issues identified by officers and the actions being taken to address those issues;

                    (3)         the current level of Capital expenditure as shown in Appendix 1 of the report.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources presenting the year-end forecasts, financial pressures on the Council during the Quarter ended 30^th September  2023 and performance against certain financial performance indicators.

67.1    The Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources, Councillor Hannah Norman, introduced the report. She advised that the report sought to outline year-end forecasts and the financial pressures on the Council during Quarter 2 ending in September 2023, as well as the performance of the Council against certain key performance indicators. Councillor Norman highlighted that the forecast year end position was currently a decrease of the Council’s General Fund balance of £1,078k against a budgeted decrease of £104k.

67.2    Councillor Norman referred to 4.3 in the report and highlighted that key pressures facing the Council included temporary accommodation costs which were at an overspend of £456k, however she noted that the position had improved due to Council’s decision to acquire emergency temporary accommodation. Councillor Norman outlined that further pressures included the decline in planning income as a result of development costs increases, and the closure of Longsmith Car Park and costs associated with lost income and repair maintenance work.

67.3    The Chair asked whether Longsmith Car Park was likely to be open before the end of the financial year. Councillor Norman explained that she was awaiting the final report measures, however Financial Monitoring reports and estimates tended to be on the pessimistic side.

67.4    In response to a further query from the Chair as to what was meant by ‘NJC Green Book staff’, the Head of Finance and Resources confirmed that this referred to the National Joint Council.

67.5    The Chair asked whether Councillor Norman was worried about the financial outlook. Councillor Norman replied that currently, local government finance was challenging, with inflationary pressures impacting on every local authority, however she had confidence that Officers and the administration would take the necessary decisions in the Council’s financial interest.

67.6    Councillor Wilson referred to the £500k utility charge for Aspire Trust and asked whether the Council had managed to recover any of this debt. The Head of Finance and Resources confirmed that this £500k was an historic debt from the previous financial year. In response to a further question from Councillor Wilson as to whether there was any possibility of the Council reclaiming any of this money, the Head of Finance and Resources noted that this was a possibility however it was dependent on the Aspire Leisure Trust’s liquidators.

67.7    Councillor Hilton asked whether the administration had any intention to sell Gloucestershire Airport.  Councillor Norman confirmed that no formal discussions had taken place at Cabinet level but invited Members to put forward any questions they had to the Leader of the Council, as the relevant Cabinet portfolio holder, at the next Cabinet Meeting.

67.8    Councillor Hilton reflected on conversations he had had with Cabinet Members at Cheltenham Borough Council regarding a possible sale. Councillor Norman reiterated that no formal discussions had taken place at Cabinet level, however Councillor Hilton could ask the Leader of the Council at the upcoming Cabinet meeting if he so wished.

67.9    Councillor Hilton observed that there was currently no upcoming decision pertaining to Gloucestershire Airport in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 67