Issue - meetings

To consider a report on the third review of the Cheshire East Council forecast outturn for the financial year 2023/24.

The Committee received the report which provided an overview of the Cheshire East Council forecast outturn for the financial year 2023/24 and the financial performance of the services relevant to the committee remit.

Members were asked to consider the serious financial challenges being experienced by the council (and other councils) and to recognise the important activities outlined which aimed at minimising the impact on services.

An amendment was moved and seconded which sought to add the word ‘note’ as well as ‘consider’ to recommendations 1 – 4. This was carried by majority.

In response to members comments and questions officers reported that

-       Officers would take away a request for the commentary of the report to be supported by figures

-       A written response would be provided on the average cost of care placements.

-       In respect of costs for consultancy fees information could be clarified outside of the meeting and it was noted that these had been presented in previous reports to committee

RESOLVED (by majority):

That the Children and Families Committee

1. Consider and note the report of the Finance Sub Committee: Finance Sub Committee, 11th January, 2024

2. Consider and note the factors leading to a forecast adverse net revenue financial pressure of £10.0m against a revised budget of £80.3m (12.5%).

3. Consider and note the forecast and further mitigations needing to be identified, aimed at bringing spending back in line with budget, for Children and Families services.

4. Consider and note the in-year forecast Capital Spending of £34.5m against an approved MTFS budget of £53.8m, due to slippage that has been re-profiled into future years, in respect of Children and Families projects.

5. Approve fully funded supplementary revenue estimates over £500,000 up to £1,000,000 in accordance with Financial Procedure Rules as detailed in Appendix 2 Children and Families Committee, Section 2 Corporate Grants  Register, Table 3.

6. Scrutinise the contents of Annex 1 and Appendix 2 and note that any financial mitigation decisions requiring approval will be made in line with relevant delegations.