The Senior Finance Business Partner presented the report of the Director of Neighbourhood Services, which set out the financial monitoring information for the Council as at Quarter 1 (30 June) of 2023/24.

The report 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 £0.500m on the Committee’s proposed revised net revenue budget, of £65.840m. The revised net revenue budget included an increase of £0.870m in Quarter 1, which is still subject to Council approval. This position was based on activity to date, projected trends in income and expenditure and changes to Council funding.

Members discussed the impact of the upcoming enforcement policy and love Wirral Policies and the adverse variance due to car parking charges being delayed. Also requested was more detail in the revenue table, which goes down to £6m and a request was made to break this down in future reports. Members also queried the variance due to the West Kirby Wall and were advised that the information contained in the report was the most up to date.

Resolved – that,

1.the Directorate forecast adverse position of £0.500m presented at Quarter 1 be noted.

2. the allocation of additional £0.870m funding from the increased council budget of £2.000m, subject to Council approval be noted;

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

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

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