Issue - meetings

RESOLVED:

1.    That Cabinet notes the Council’s forecast revenue and capital budget positions for the year.

Reasons for Decisions:

This report is to comply with the agreed policy of providing a monthly budget monitoring report to Cabinet for approval of any necessary actions. 

(The decisions on this item can be called-in by the Resources and Performance Select Committee)

The report provided details of the County Council’s 2022/23 financial position as at 31st May 2022 (M2) for revenue and capital budgets, and the expected outlook for the remainder of the financial year. The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Resource explained that at M2, the Council was forecasting a full year deficit of £23.0m, against the revenue budget approved by Council in February 2022. The council was experiencing higher than budgeted inflation arising from increased global and economic uncertainty and this significantly increased the risk of the Council on delivering the revenue and capital budgets for this financial year. The Deputy Leader gave an update on significant budget pressures and areas of risks.

It was explained that there had been an overspend with Surrey Fire and Rescue. The Cabinet Member for Community Protection explained that the service was facing a difficult period in terms of recruitment and retention with the London Fire Brigade advertising for roles. There had been a temporary increase in staffing and investment in learning and development opportunities that had come at a cost. The service was investing in equipment and specialist training. The Cabinet Member gave an update on all the incidents the service had attended including the fire at Hankley Common and thanked staff for their dedication and professionalism in keeping the public safe. The Leader thanked the Chief Fire Officer and the teams for their professionalism in challenging times. This view was echoed by the Cabinet Member for Adults and Health who thanked the service for attending an incident at the ex-servicemen’s club in Staines. 

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet notes the Council’s forecast revenue and capital budget positions for the year. The report provided details of the County Council’s 2022/23 financial position as at 31st May 2022 (M2) for revenue and capital budgets, and the expected outlook for the remainder of the financial year.

Reasons for Decisions:

This report is to comply with the agreed policy of providing a monthly budget monitoring report to Cabinet for approval of any necessary actions. 

(The decisions on this item can be called-in by the Resources and Performance Select Committee)