Issue - meetings

This report sets out the forecasts, as at 31 December, of income and expenditure against the revenue and capital budget for 2017/18, and other key financial data. The actual spend information in the report is to 30 November 2017, and the forecasts were prepared and finalised as at 31 December.

It was RESOLVED:

10.1     That the overall financial position and the actions being taken to manage the issues arising be noted.

Councillor McLennan (Deputy Leader of the Council) introduced the report which provided Cabinet with key financial data for quarter three and a set of forecasts which were prepared and finalised as of 31 December 2017. She noted that Cabinet received quarterly financial performance reports which fed into ensuring that the Council set a balanced budget. She highlighted some of the headline data within the report which saw slight overspends in the Community Wellbeing and Children and Young People’s Departments being offset by an underspend in the Regeneration and Environment Department.

Conrad Hall (the Council’s Chief Finance Officer) stated that the Council’s overall expenditure would be contained within budget and asked Members to consider Brent’s strong financial position when compared to some other Local Authorities.

Councillor Hirani (Lead Member for Community Wellbeing) highlighted the substantive adult social care pressures within the Community Wellbeing department which had contributed to its overspend and Councillor McLennan praised the work of the Children and Young People’s Department for managing its budget so closely despite the pressures on children’s social care.

Councillor Butt (Leader of the Council) concluded and endorsed the Council’s ongoing due diligence work in managing its finances which meant that it could continue to deliver services and positive outcomes for its residents.

It was RESOLVED:

11.1     That the overall financial position and the actions being taken to manage the issues arising be noted.