Issue - meetings

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

(a)           That the Senior Leadership Team’s forecast of the full year’s outturn for the Council, made at the end of September 2025 including progress of the transformational and efficiency savings incorporated into the budget, be noted.

(b)           That the capital programme for 2025/26 be noted.

(c)           That the number and extent of contract exemptions be noted.

(d)           That authority be delegated to the Executive Director for People (Children) in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education and Skills to award phase 2 of the valuing care programme with IMPOWER which increases total spend to £0.94m. (as set out in Appendix D of the report to Cabinet of 11 November 2025)

Reason for the decision

The Council was legally required to set a balanced budget every year and so must deliver services within the resources made available through the revenue and capital budgets for 2025/26.  The report summarised the Council’s forecast financial performance for the year at the end of September 2025.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Capital Strategy presented the Period 6 Financial Management report, which provided a comprehensive overview of Dorset Council’s financial position as of 30 September 2025.  He confirmed that the projected overspend was £5.3 million and mainly due to the rising cost of adults and children’s social care, plus delays in savings from the Our Future Council transformation programme. However, he emphasised that this was an improving picture.

In response to questions, the Cabinet Member for Finance and Capital Strategy advised that the Highways budget underspend was primarily due to higher than anticipated car parking income.  Members were informed that recruitment for community highways officers was actively underway, and this would strengthen local services. 

Members also noted that the recent dip in homelessness performance was a temporary issue. Dorset Council continued to perform strongly overall against homelessness targets, and measures were in place to maintain and further improve outcomes.

It was proposed by Cllr S Clifford and seconded by Cllr B Wilson

Decision

(a)           That the Senior Leadership Team’s forecast of the full year’s outturn for the Council, made at the end of September 2025 including progress of the transformational and efficiency savings incorporated into the budget, be noted.

(b)           That the capital programme for 2025/26 be noted.

(c)           That the number and extent of contract exemptions be noted.

(d)           That authority be delegated to the Executive Director for People (Children) in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education and Skills to award phase 2 of the valuing care programme with IMPOWER which increases total spend to £0.94m. (as set out in Appendix D of the report to Cabinet of 11 November 2025)

Reason for the decision

The Council was legally required to set a balanced budget every year and so must deliver services within the resources made available through the revenue and capital budgets for 2025/26.  The report summarised the Council’s forecast financial performance for the year at the end of September 2025.