The Finance Business Partner presented the report of the Director of Neighbourhood Services, which provided Members with an overview of budget performance, including progress on the delivery of the 2023/24 saving programme and a summary of reserves and balances, which enabled the Committee to take ownership of the budgets and provide robust challenge and scrutiny to Officers on the performance of those budgets.

At the end of Quarter 1, there was a forecast adverse position of £1.821m on the Committee’s revised net revenue budget, of £13.911m. This position was based on activity to date, projected trends in income and expenditure and changes to Council funding.

Members queried capital programme in relation to play equipment in New Brighton and were informed that this was superseded by an application to use the space as a Water sports Centre. The Capital was therefore used instead for equipment in the Tennis Centre. Members were also concerned by the £1.4m adverse variance in the Floral Pavilion and what the plans would be moving forward. It was noted that these were historic, un-met income targets and could be put forward as an unachievable budget pressure. Members also questioned defibrillators, their placement in council owned spaces and maintenance. Members were informed they were in place and maintained and there had been a capital bit to put in to place additional defibrillators in parks in Wirral.

Resolved – that,

1. the Directorate forecast adverse position of £1.821m presented at Quarter 1 be noted.

2. the progress on delivery of the 2023/24 savings programme at Quarter 1 be noted.

3. the forecast level of reserves and balances at Quarter 1 be noted.

4. the forecast capital position presented at Quarter 1 be noted.