Issue - meetings

That:

1)        the forecast outturn position of the revenue budget and the level of forecast balances in respect of the General Fund, Housing Revenue Account, Schools Block and the Authority’s investment portfolio be noted;

2)        the potential carry forward requests as per Appendix B of the report be noted.

The Executive considered a report setting out the forecast outturn position of the revenue budget and the level of forecast balances in respect of the General Fund, Housing Revenue Account, Schools Block and the Authority’s investment portfolio.

The Executive Member for Economic Development and Finance went through the report and highlighted that the Council was currently looking at a projected overspend of around £500k and children’s placements and homelessness were areas of concern.  Councillor Pollock confirmed that it was hoped that some of this overspend would be clawed back by the end of the year.

With regard to the Housing Revenue Account Members were informed that this was currently showing a projected underspend of around £38k.  The Schools Block was showing a deficit of £341k however when taking into account the reserves for that area an overall surplus was showing. 

In relation to the Children’s Services Budget Councillor Haitham Taylor asked for media assistance in promoting the fact that if more permanent social workers and foster carers, who lived in the Borough, could be recruited this would assist with the current budget pressures.

Councillor McGhee-Sumner provided an update on discussions which had been held with the Department of Health to try and gain additional funding to support the change in eligibility criteria.  He advised that it now appeared that no additional funding would be forthcoming for Wokingham and West Berkshire Councils therefore both councils were considering reinstating the judicial review.  Legal opinion was currently awaited on the likelihood of the review being successful.

RESOLVED that:

1)        the forecast outturn position of the revenue budget and the level of forecast balances in respect of the General Fund, Housing Revenue Account, Schools Block and the Authority’s investment portfolio be noted;

2)        the potential carry forward requests as per Appendix B of the report be noted.