Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Finance & Capital Strategy.

Decision

(i)         That the SLT forecast of the full year’s outturn for the Council, made at the end of July 2024 including progress of the transformational and efficiency savings incorporated into the budget, be noted.

(ii)        That the capital programme be noted.

Reason for the decision

The Council provided a mix of statutory and discretionary services to communities across Dorset and was legally required to set a balanced budget every year, and so must deliver services within the resources made available.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Capital Strategy presented the council’s forecast financial performance for the full 2024/25 financial year. The forecasts were based on data as of 31 July 2024.

The Cabinet Member highlighted that the council’s finances were under extreme pressure and the report outlined the pressures within the revenue budget which, in the absence of mitigation would be required to be funded from reserves.  It was noted that reserves had reduced from 2023/24 to 2024/25 and would reduce further if required to meet the revenue overspend.

In response to a question regarding transformation, the Cabinet Member for Corporate Development and Transformation advised that PwC (an advisory partner) were putting together a robust plan to improve efficiencies whilst continuing to deliver the best customer experience. He was awaiting the results of that work. The Executive Director for Corporate Development advised that a further report on transformation would be presented to a future meeting of Cabinet. 

In response to a question, the Cabinet Member for Finance and Capital Strategy indicated that achieving the 8.6 million in transformation savings for the 2025/26 budget was unlikely. It was possible that a portion of these savings may be funded but it was highly likely that the remainder would need to be covered by reserves.

The recommendation was proposed by Cllr S Clifford and seconded by Cllr N Ireland.

Decision

(i)         That the SLT forecast of the full year’s outturn for the Council, made at the end of July 2024 including progress of the transformational and efficiency savings incorporated into the budget, be noted.

(ii)        That the capital programme be noted.

Reason for the decision

The Council provided a mix of statutory and discretionary services to communities across Dorset and was legally required to set a balanced budget every year, and so must deliver services within the resources made available.