37  Environment, Climate Emergency & Transport Committee Budget and Budget Monitoring Report

The Senior Finance Business Partner presented the report which provided an update on the budgets in respect of the in-year position and the anticipated pressures for future years which were being considered within the Medium-Term Financial Plan.

Members were informed that the Medium-Term Financial Plan considered the future pressures and savings options that had been put forward as part of a balanced budget position. The Council faced a challenging financial outlook due to inflationary and demand pressures alongside the previous significant reductions in Government funding and uncertainty around the future financial settlements. At the end of Quarter 1, there was a forecast adverse variance of £0.500m against the Committee’s revised net revenue budget of £65.840m, which was equivalent to a variance of 1% from the annual budget.

Members queried the Medium-Term Financial Plan and pressure of removing boats from Heswall Beach, as well as possible enforcement costs and of  tracing owners. Assurance was given that officers were confident of finding the funding required to deal with this longstanding problem. Also discussed was the Recycling and Waste and Transport levies and budgeting for increased Levy costs. Members requested that hyperlinks be placed in reports for further detail and requested that further budget reports be placed higher up in the order of business.

Resolved – that the report be noted.