Agenda item

Rachel Harrison, Deputy Director of Finance, introduced the report.

It was noted that the covering report had been omitted from the agenda pack and would be resubmitted to the next meeting.

The following main points were noted in the discussion:

·        Officers highlighted the increased pressure on children’s social care placements due to increased demand, and the decrease in parking income. There had been a £1.2m overspend on energy associated with the high price of gas and electricity. There was a capital overspend on leisure services due to the unexpected flood damage to the Sobell Leisure Centre.

·        A member asked if the council had factored in a fall in parking income associated with the council’s People Friendly Streets schemes. Officers advised that projections for future income would need to be assessed to consider lower car usage.

·        It was confirmed that the council’s £1m hardship fund was still open and the scope of the scheme had been extended to allow applications from those on Universal Credit. A member suggested that targeted spend on those in housing and council tax arrears may be more helpful, however the Executive Member for Finance, Planning and Performance disagreed, noting the range of support already available through the Resident Support Scheme. The hardship fund was intended for those working and in private rented accommodation.

·        A member queried how the overspend in Adult Social Care compared to similar local authorities, and what was being done to address the overspend. In response, officers commented on the relatively higher cost of providing care in inner-London, noted the work undertaken by Finance Officers and Adult Social Care to develop savings plans, and commented that the financing of Adult Social Care was a national issue. Members suggested that national reform of Adult Social Care financing was needed.  

RESOLVED:

That the Budget Monitoring Report be noted.