Decision details

The committee received the report which set out the final outturn for 2023-24. Members considered the financial challenges being experienced by the Council and recognised the important activities aimed at minimising the impact on council services. Members noted that the final outturn for the council would be considered by the Finance Sub Committee on 25 June 2024.

Members noted corporate policy committee services had reported an underspend of £4.5m as a result of vacancy management, increased income, reduction in spend and underspend in ICT contact expenditure.

Members queried the underspend relating to vacancy management and noted that whilst the local authority had not stopped recruitment, a more rigorous approach to recruitment was in place to ensure that when a vacancy arose, senior officers considered the full options before progressing to replace leavers (if the role needed to be replaced like for like, or if it could be done differently, and consideration of acting up arrangements).

Members acknowledged that not all savings/underspend was positive and noted that there had been an underspend on staff training. Members agreed that staff development was critical and that individuals should be encouraged and supported to develop the expertise needed to deliver good services.

RESOLVED (by majority):

That the Corporate Policy Committee

1.    Noted the factors leadings to a positive Net Revenue final outturn of £4.5m underspend against a revised budget of £41.9m (10.7%) for Corporate Policy Committee Services.

2.    Note the contents of Annex 1 and any financial mitigations decisions The committee received the report which set out the final outturn for 2023-24.