The Senior Manager Corporate Finance introduced a report that set out the projected revenue and capital monitoring positions for 2018/19 as at the close of quarter 1 (30 June 2018).  The report also provided details of the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) 2019/20 -2022/23 and preparation of the budget for 2019/20.

Appended to the report were the Revenue Monitoring 2018/19 Quarter 1 Report (Appendix 1) and the Capital Monitoring 2018/19 Quarter 1 Report (Appendix 2).

The Senior Manager Corporate Finance also provided the Committee with a presentation on the Children and Young People’s Department the 2017-18 Outturn in relation to Capital and Schools. and the 1^st Quarter Revenue Forecast 2018/19.

The Committee noted that capital had been used for the following:

·  Meadowside Special School – hydrotherapy

·  Town Lane Infants expand/modernisation

·  Elleray Park Special School – new classrooms

·  Heygarth Primary School – new classrooms

·  Woodchurch Primary – new roof

In respect of the 1^st Quarter Revenue Forecast 2018/19 the Committee noted that

·  The Budget Forecast was balanced

·  The cost of Looked After Children continued to be a pressure.  Numbers and complex cases

·  New investment helping to embed new practices and enabling reactive expenditure to be diverted to prevention

The Senior Manager Corporate Finance informed that the role of the Committee was to focus on the 2019/20 Budget gap of £45m and review and challenge Budget proposals proposed by the Cabinet.  The Committee could also recommend budget proposals.  They could be wide ranging from income generation and reviewing services to identify efficiencies.

It was noted that the key dates were as follows:

·  26 November 2018 – The Cabinet will agree its budget proposals

·  December 2018 – Overview &Scrutiny Committees review the budget proposals

·  18 February 2019 – The Cabinet will approval its budget and updated MTFS

·  4 March 2019 – The Full Council will consider the budget and the Council Tax

Following his presentation the Senior Manager Corporate Finance was questioned on its content by Members and responded as appropriate. 

One particular concern raised was the provision of a hydrotherapy pool at Meadowside Special School when just around the corner the Lyndale Special School was scheduled for demolition.

It was proposed that in future the Committee should receive the detail of actual monthly expenditure and the Senior Manager Corporate Finance agreed to provide this information for consideration at meetings going forward.

RESOLVED:

That the content of the report and its appendices be noted.