Decisions

The committee noted the verbal update

The Committee noted the update

The Committee noted the report

Following items were requested to be added to the work programme:

·         Devolution Service Level Agreements Post April 2025

·         Joint with Climate & Place – Glastonbury Festival - Wash Up Session

·         Air Quality -Sarah Dowden

·         Report on the Seaward Way Council Housing in Minehead -How the scheme allocated housing -Local connection?

·         Library Proposals following Needs Assessment (Chris Hall)

·         Homefinder Policy and Annual Review of Policy

Approve the allocation of the BSIP 2025/26 funding.

This will be a delegated decision from the Planning and Transport Sub Committee on 11^th February 2025.

Accepting £4,746,687.68 grant funding from the Department for Education for the Wave 6  (April 2025 to March 2026) Skills Bootcamp programme to help 1190 learners upskill or reskill and achieve employment outcomes.  Delegations for approving individual Skills Bootcamp to Service Manager.

Resolved that the minutes of the Scrutiny Committee – Communities held on 22 January 2025 be confirmed as a correct record.

RESOLVED

That planning application 2023/2354/REM be APPROVED in accordance with the Officer’s recommendation with additional conditions relating to the provision of sustainability measures including solar panels, heat pumps and water efficiency and securing the implementation of the surface water drainage scheme prior to commencement except for highway works and also an informative on radon gas. That delegated authority be given to Officers the determine the precise wording of the conditions, to be agreed in consultation with the Chair and Vice-Chair. Also, prior approval of tiling materials must be obtained in consultation with the Chair and Vice-Chair and divisional Members.

Votes – 10 for, 1 abstention

RESOLVED

That planning application 2022/0212/REM be APPROVED in accordance with the Officer’s recommendation with additional conditions relating to the provision of EV charging points for each dwelling and the provision of a Sustainability Strategy Statement demonstrating how the development has maximised the opportunities for the use of renewable energy. That delegated authority be given to Officers to determine the precise wording of the condition, to be agreed in consultation with the Chair and Vice-Chair.

Votes – Unanimous

The Property and Investments Executive Sub-Committee resolved: 
 

a. To approve the recommendations set out in the confidential Appendix A. 
 

b. To delegate authority to make all necessary arrangements and agreements to conclude the sales by the 31 March 2026 to the Executive Director for Resources, Strategy and Transformation in consultation with the Lead Member for Economic Development, Planning and Assets.? 

The Property and Investments Executive Sub-Committee Resolved: 
 

a. To approve the recommendations set out in the confidential Appendix A. 
 

b. To delegate authority to make all necessary arrangements and agreements to conclude the sales by the 31 March 2026 to the Executive Director for Resources, Strategy and Transformation in consultation with the Lead Member for Economic Development, Planning and Assets

Councillor Liz Leyshon proposed the recommendations, which were seconded by Councillor Bill Revans.

Having been duly proposed and seconded, the Council Resolved to:-

In respect of the Robustness of the Budget

a.          Confirm that it has had regard to the report of the Council’s Interim Chief Finance Officer (Section 151 Officer) (Appendix A) as to the robustness of the estimates made for the purposes of the calculations of the budget in making the calculation of its budget requirement confirming the robustness of the Budget estimates and the adequacy of the financial reserves, noting in particular their warning about the forecast deficits and the lack of Financial Sustainability over the period 2026/27 to 2029/30, as required by Section 25 of the Local Government Act 2003;

In respect of the General Fund Revenue Budget 2025/26

b.         Having considered the detailed Equalities Impact Assessments Appendix L, approve the Savings and Income generation plans outlined in Appendices B(i) B(ii) and B(iii).

c.          Approve the additional funding for new Growth requirements set out in Appendix C.

d.         Approve the General Fund Net Revenue Budget for 2025/26 of £622.089m and the individual Executive and Service Directorate Budgets for 2025/26 as outlined in Appendix D.

e.          Note the MTFP Movements set out in Appendix E from the report that was presented to Executive in October 2024.

f.           Approve the MTFP for the next five years set out in Appendix F and the MTFS 2025/26 – 2029/30 Strategy Document set out in Appendix G.

g.         Approve the changes to the Fees and Charges schedule for 2025/26 set out in Appendix H.

h.         Note the Specific Revenue Grants Schedule 2025/26 set out in Appendix I

i.           Note the Parking Account for 2025/26 set out in Appendix K

j.           Note the MTFP Cumulative Equalities Impact Assessment set out in Appendix L

k.          Note the 2025/26 Budget Consultation Feedback set out in Appendix M

l.           Note and agree that the 2025/26 Budget had been balanced. The budget includes £43.000m of Exceptional Financial Support from MHCLG in the form of a Capitalisation Direction which enabled operational expenditure to be capitalised as set out in Appendix AA and Appendix D.

m.        Note and accept the conditions set out in the Minister’s ‘minded to approve’ Exceptional Financial Support letter dated 20 February 2025 set out in Appendix A, Annex A(i), that Somerset Council would need to accept and fulfil in order to secure the Capitalisation Direction of up to £43.000m.

In respect of the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG)

n.         Note that the forecast spending on the Dedicated Schools Grant, set out in Appendix J(i) was forecast to exceed the funding provided by government by £33.914m in 2025/26 and was projected to reach a cumulative deficit of £99.125m by 31 March 2026.

o.         Note the overall Dedicated Schools Grant allocation of £481.393m for 2025/26 and breakdown by block set out in Appendix J(ii).

p.         Approve the distribution of the Schools Block of £416.883m in compliance with the National Funding Formula and as recommended by Schools Forum on 15 January 2025 and agree that any changes to the budget reasonably required as a result to the 2025/26 DSG settlement were delegated for decision to the Chief Finance Officer (Section 151 Officer) Appendix J(i) and J(ii).

In respect of the Earmarked Reserves

q.         Note the annual review of reserves and that the level of General Reserves was maintained within the risk-based assessment range of £33.254m minimum to £60.000m appropriate level.

r.           Note the Earmarked Reserves reprofiling as set out in Appendix N.

s.          Note the overall estimated position of Earmarked Reserves outlined in Appendix AA, Table 17 and the proposed use of reserves detailed in Appendix N which included the estimated use of Earmarked Reserves during the year.

In respect of the General Fund Capital

t.           Consider and approve the Capital Investment Strategy for 2025/26 to 2029/30 set out in Appendix O

u.         Approve the £235.103m new Capital proposals 2025/26 to 2029/30 set out in Appendix P

v.          Approve the revised Capital Programme of £1,077.384m 2024/25 to 2029/30, as set out in Appendices Q(i) and Q(ii)

w.        Approve the Flexible use of Capital Receipts Strategy 2024/25 and 2025/26 as set out in Appendix S.

In respect of the Treasury Management Strategy and Prudential Indicators 2025/26

x.          Approve the Treasury Management Strategy 2025/26, the Treasury Management Policy Statement 2025/26, the Prudential Indicators and the Annual Investment Strategy 2025/26 as set out in Appendix R(i)

y.          Approve the Minimum Revenue Provision 2024/25 & 2025/26 set out in Appendix R(ii)

z.          Approve the Non Treasury Investment Strategy 2025/26 set out in Appendix T

In respect of Council Tax

aa.      Approve the calculations for determining the Council Tax requirement for the year 2025/26 in accordance with the Local Government Finance Act 1992 set out in the Council Tax Resolution in Appendix U.

bb.      Agree to continue the Council Tax precept of £14.65, included in the overall Band D Council Tax for the shadow Somerset Rivers Authority (representing no increase for 2025/26). This resulted in a Council Tax Requirement of £3,112,887 for the Somerset Rivers Authority.

cc.      Approve the increase in Council Tax for a Band D property for Somerset Council, including the Somerset Rivers Authority Precept, by £129.43 for 2025/26, giving a Band D Council Tax of £1,857.61 per year, being:

i) The General Band D Council Tax by 5.49%, £94.87, being the maximum 2.99% permitted without a referendum and the additional 2.5% permitted by the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government as part of the Local Government Finance Settlement for 2025/26; and

ii) The Adult Social Care Precept by 2.00%, £34.56.

dd.      Approve a Special Expenses rate of £151,509 as detailed in Appendix U.

ee.      Approve the precept requirement of £394,863,503 (including Special Expenses Rate) £394,711,994 (excluding Special Expenses Rates).

ff.         Approve the 7.49% increase formal Council Tax resolution, in Appendix U, for Council Tax incorporating:

·     5.49% General Council Tax (including an additional 2.5% EFS) and

·     2.00% Adult Social Care Precept and

·     Note the precepting bodies precepts as below:

gg.      Note the Council Tax Scenarios set out in Appendix V

hh.      Approve the formal Council Tax resolution below:

·     The Council Tax Base for the year 2025/26 was calculated in accordance with the provisions of the Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) (England) Regulations 1992 as amended and made under Section 33 (5) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, (referred to hereinafter as “the Act”).

·     Calculate that the Council Tax requirement for the Council’s own purposes for 2025/26 (excluding Parish precepts) was:

·     That the Council calculated the following amounts for 2025/26 in accordance with Sections 31B and 34 to 36 of the Act (as amended by the Localism Act 2011 and Local Government Regulations 2012).

·     To note that the Police Authority and the Fire Authority have issued precepts to the Council in accordance with Section 40 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 for each category of dwellings in the Council’s area as indicated in the table below.

·     That the Council, in accordance with Sections 30 and 36 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, hereby set the aggregate amounts shown in Appendix U as the amounts of Council Tax for 2025/26 for each part of its area and for each of the categories of dwellings.

Councillor Bill Revans proposed the recommendations, which were seconded by Councillor Mandy Chilcott.

Having been duly proposed and seconded, the Council Resolved to:-

      i.         Thank the Panel for its report and recommendations set out in Appendix 1;

     ii.         Consider the Panel’s recommendations prior to determining the Scheme of Members’ Allowances 2025/26 and the draft Scheme of Members’ Allowances 2025/26 (set out in Appendix 2);

    iii.         Authorise the Monitoring Officer to finalise and publish the Scheme of Members’ Allowances 2025/26 to reflect the Council’s decision.

Councillor Theo Butt-Philip proposed the recommendations, which were seconded by Councillor Bill Revans.

Having been duly proposed and seconded, the Council Resolved to:-

2.1Approve the redundancy costs for the 12 posts as set out in Appendix A, as Full Council approval was required for costs that exceeded £100,000.

2.2Delegate authority to the Chief Executive to agree the final date of dismissal and the final redundancy packages, noting that such settlements would not exceed contractual redundancy pay or the payment required under statute to the Local Government Pension Scheme.

Councillor Bill Revans proposed the recommendations, which were seconded by Councillor Mandy Chilcott.

Having been duly proposed and seconded, the Council Resolved to:-

      i.         endorse the principle of Somerset Council working with partner local authorities (including Dorset, Wiltshire and BCP Councils) to secure a devolution settlement for the Wessex area and the ambition of the partners to be part of Government’s Devolution Programme, while remaining open to working with other authorities outside the Wessex area where it was demonstrably beneficial to Somerset.

     ii.         accept that Wessex had agreed to be available to Swindon Borough Council and North Somerset Council should they wish to join Wessex at a later stage.

    iii.         recognise that the geographies of authorities within the Devolution Programme were identified as areas for the creation of a new MSA.

   iv.         note the potential opportunities to promote economic growth, skills and prosperity alongside the financial benefits and strategic and operational implications for Somerset Council arising from a devolution settlement and the creation of a MSA.

(NB – recommendation (i) amended at the meeting)

Councillor Liz Leyshon proposed the recommendations, which were seconded by Councillor Bill Reavns.

Having been duly proposed and seconded, the Council Resolved to consider and acknowlegde:-

a)    The advice of the Council’s Interim Chief Finance Officer (Section 151 Officer) in their Section 25 report (Appendix A) in relation to the robustness of the Budget estimates and the adequacy of the level of Reserves for 2025/26, as required by Section 25 of the Local Government Act 2003.

b)    The Section 151 Officer’s warning about the critical financial position of the Council, the £101.384m 2026/27 Budget gap increasing to £190.041m over the medium term, inadequate reserves and the lack of financial sustainability over the period 2026/27 to 2029/30.

c)    The minimum level of Reserves was set at 5% of the Net Revenue income stream on 1 April 2025 which was £33.254m (excluding the use of EFS to meet the Net Revenue Budget). The appropriate level of General Fund Balance be set at £60.000m for 2025/26.

d)    The responsibility of Council Members under Section 31A of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, to have regard to this report when making decisions on agreeing the Budget and setting the Council Tax for the financial year 2025/26.

(NB – recommendation (c) amended at the meeting)

Councillor Federica Smith-Roberts proposed the recommendations, which were seconded by Councillor Suria Aujla.

Having been duly proposed and seconded, the Council Resolved to agree:-

1)    The HRA Annual Revenue Budget for 2025/26 as set out in Section 3 and in Appendix A.

2)    The Capital Programme of £304.638m including new additions of £213.587m and budget deletions of £4.738m as detailed in Section 4 and Appendix B.

3)    Delegated authority to the Chief Finance Officer (Section 151 Officer) to approve the final capital financing of the capital programme annual spend.

4)    Delegated authority to the Chief Finance Officer (Section 151 Officer) and the Executive Director of Community, Place and Economy, in conjunction with the Deputy Leader of the Council and Lead Member for Finance, Procurement and Performance and the Lead Member for Communities, Housing Revenue Account, Culture and Equalities and Diversity to approve the tenure (social vs affordable rents) of each social housing scheme.

5)    Delegated authority to the Executive Director of Community, Place and Economy and the Chief Finance Officer (Section 151 Officer), in conjunction with the Lead Member for Communities, Housing Revenue Account, Culture and Equalities and Diversity, to acquire dwellings in accordance with the HRA Capital Programme for 2025/26 to 2029/30 and updated Business Plan 2025/26.

6)    The minimum balance for the HRA General Reserves at £5.863m, the equivalent of 10% of revenue for 2025/26 and approximately £600 per property.

7)    To note the updated Medium Term Financial Plan 2025/26 to 2029/30.

8)    To note the updated 30-Year Business Plan in Section 7 and Appendix C.

Following consideration of the officer report, appendices and discussion, the Executive resolved to:

1)    Support a consistent approach to parking across Somerset, including:

a.    The introduction of parking charges on Sundays, as set out in appendix 2

b.    The introduction of charging in free to use carparks, as set out in appendix 3

c.     The introduction of on-street charging in limited waiting bays as set out in appendix 4

2)    Acknowledge the increase resource requirements to deliver and maintain these changes

3)    Instruct officers to explore options for Capital upgrades to parking machine infrastructure across Somerset so that all machines have Cash, Card & Phone payments options”

4)    Acknowledging the feedback from the scrutiny committee and others, further commits that:

a.    It will not proceed with the implementation of a Somerset-wide overnight parking charge

b.    Prior to a final decision being made, and the implementation of a new Somerset-wide approach to charging for parking being brought in, further work will be done to understand and economic impact of the proposals, and that local communities will be given the ability to have their views taken into account on any proposed changes’

c.     That there will be a further opportunity for Scrutiny to consider the proposed changes

Following consideration of the officer report, appendices and discussion, the Executive resolved to agree and recommend to Full Council:

1. The advice of the Council’s Interim Chief Finance Officer (Section 151 Officer) in their Section 25 report (Appendix A) in relation to the robustness of the Budget estimates and the adequacy of the level of Reserves for 2025/26.
2. The Section 151 Officer’s warning about the critical financial position of the Council, the £101.384m 2026/27 Budget gap increasing to £190.041m over the medium term, inadequate reserves and the lack of financial sustainability over the period 2026/27 to 2029/30.
3. The minimum level of Reserves is set at 10% of the Net Revenue income stream on 1 April 2025 which is £33.254m (excluding the use of EFS to meet the Net Revenue Budget). The appropriate level of General Fund Balance be set at £60.000m for 2025/26.
4. The responsibility of Council Members under Section 31A of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, to have regard to this report when making decisions on agreeing the Budget and setting the Council Tax for the financial year 2025/26.

Following consideration of the officer report, appendices, and discussion, the Executive resolved to endorse the following recommendations and recommend them to Full Council for approval:

1. The HRA Annual Revenue Budget for 2025/26 as set out in Section 3 and in Appendix A.  

2. The Capital Programme of £304.638m including new additions of £213.587m and budget deletions of £4.738m as detailed in Section 4 and Appendix B. 

3. Delegate to the Chief Finance Officer (Section 151 Officer) to approve the final capital financing of the capital programme annual spend. 

4. Delegate to the Chief Finance Officer (Section 151 Officer) and the Executive Director of Community, Place & Economy, in conjunction with the Deputy Leader of the Council and Lead Member for Finance, Procurement and Performance and the Lead Member for Communities, Housing Revenue Account, Culture and Equalities and Diversity to approve the tenure (social vs affordable rents) of each social housing scheme. 

5. Delegated authority to the Executive Director of Community, Place & Economy and the Chief Finance Officer (Section 151 Officer), in conjunction with the Lead Member for Communities, Housing Revenue Account, Culture and Equalities and Diversity, to acquire dwellings in accordance with the HRA Capital Programme for 2025/26 to 2029/30 and updated Business Plan 2025/26. 

6. To approve the minimum balance for the HRA General Reserves at £5.863m, the equivalent of 10% of revenue for 2025/26 and approximately £600 per property. 

7. To note the Medium Term Financial Plan 2025/26 to 2029/30. 

8. To note the updated 30-Year Business Plan in Section 7 and Appendix C. 

Following consideration of the officer report, appendices, and discussion, the Executive resolved to agree and recommend to Full Council:

In respect of the Robustness of the Budget  

1. Note the conclusions of the Council’s Interim Chief Finance Officer (Section 151 Officer) in their Section 25 report (Appendix A) confirming the robustness of the Budget estimates and the adequacy of the level of reserves for 2025/26 and their warning about the forecast deficits and the lack of Financial Sustainability over the period 2026/27 to 2029/30. 

In respect of the General Fund Revenue Budget 2025/26 

2. Having considered the detailed Equalities Impact Assessments Appendix L, approve the Savings and Income generation plans outlined in Appendices B(i) B(ii) and B(iii). 

3. Approve the additional funding for new Growth requirements set out in Appendix C. 

4. Approve the General Fund Net Revenue Budget for 2025/26 of £622.089m and the individual Executive and Service Directorate Budgets for 2025/26 as outlined in Appendix D. 

5. Note the MTFP Movements set out in Appendix E from the report that was presented to Executive in December 2024. 

6. Note the MTFP for the next five years set out in Appendix F and the MTFS 2025/26 – 2029/30 Strategy Document set out in Appendix G. 

7. Approve the changes to the Fees and Charges schedule for 2025/26 set out in Appendix H. 

8. Note the Specific Revenue Grants Schedule 2025/26 set out in Appendix I 

9. Note the Parking Account for 2025/26 set out in Appendix K 

10. Note the MTFP Cumulative Equalities Impact Assessment set out in Appendix L. 

11. Note the 2025/26 Budget Consultation Feedback set out in Appendix M 

12. Note and agree that the 2025/26 Budget has been balanced. The budget includes £43.000m of Exceptional Financial Support from MHCLG in the form of a Capitalisation Direction which enables operational expenditure to capitalised. 

13. Note and accept that conditions will be attached to the Exceptional Financial Support Capitalisation Direction that Somerset Council will need to accept and fulfil. 

In respect of the Dedicated Schools Grant 

14. Note that the forecast spending on the Dedicated Schools Grant, set out in Appendix J(i) is forecast to exceed the funding provided by government by £33.914m in 2025/26 and is projected to reach a cumulative deficit of £99.125m by 31 March 2026. 

15. Note the overall Dedicated Schools Grant allocation of £481.393m for 2025/26 and breakdown by block set out in Appendix J(ii). 

In Respect of the Earmarked Reserves 

16. Note that the level of General Reserves is maintained within the risk-based assessment range of £31.104m minimum to £62.208m maximum level. 

17. Note the Earmarked Reserves reprofiling as set out in Appendix N. 

18. Note the overall estimated position of Earmarked Reserves outlined in Table 17 and the proposed use of reserves detailed in Appendix N which includes the estimated use of Earmarked Reserves during the year. 

In respect of the General Fund Capital 

19. Consider and approve the Capital Investment Strategy for 2025/26 to 2029/30 set out in Appendix O 

20. Approve the £235.103m new Capital proposals 2025/26 to 2029/30 set out in Appendix P 

21. Approve the revised Capital Programme of £1,077.384m 2024/25 to 2029/30, as set out in Appendices Q(i) and Q(ii). 

In respect of the Treasury Management Strategy and Prudential Indicators 2025/26 

22. Approve the Treasury Management Strategy 2025/26 set out in Appendix R(i) 

23. Approve the Minimum Revenue Provision 2024/25 & 2025/26 set out in Appendix R(i) 

24. Approve the Non Treasury Investment Strategy 2025/26 set out in Appendix T 

In respect of Council Tax 

25. Approve the calculations for determining the Council Tax requirement for the year 2025/26 in accordance with the Local Government Finance Act 1992 set out in the Council Tax Resolution in Appendix U. 

26. Agree to continue the Council Tax precept of £14.65, included in the overall band D Council Tax for the shadow Somerset Rivers Authority (representing no increase for 2025/26). This results in a Council Tax Requirement of £3,112,887 for the Somerset Rivers Authority 

27. Approve the increase in Council Tax for a band D property for Somerset Council, including the Somerset Rivers Authority Precept, by £129.43 for 2025/26, giving a Band D Council Tax of £1,857.61 per year, being: 

                                 i.         The General Band D Council Tax by 5.49%, £94.87, being the maximum permitted without a referendum and the additional 2.5% permitted by the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government as part of the Local Government Finance Settlement for 2025/26; and 

                                ii.         The Adult Social Care Precept by 2.00%, £34.56. 

28. Approve a Special Expenses rate of £151,509 as detailed in Appendix U. 

29. Approve the precept requirement of £394,863,503 (including Special Expenses Rate) £394,711,994 (excluding Special Expenses Rates). 

30. Approve the 7.49% increase formal Council Tax resolution, in Appendix U, for Council Tax incorporating: 

·       5.49% General Council Tax (including an additional 2.5% EFS) and 

·       2.00% Adult Social Care Precept and 

·       Note the precepting bodies precepts on page 11 of Supplement 2 

31. Note the Council Tax Scenarios set out in Appendix V 

RESOLVED that the Constitution and Governance Committee agreed to:

1.    Approve the proposed report for submission to the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) for Stage 1 of Somerset Council’s Phase 2 response.

2.    Delegate authority to the Monitoring Officer to write to the LGBCE outlining any remaining concerns with the proposed boundaries that were raised at the meeting by a few elected members.

Following consideration of the officer report, appendices and discussion, the Executive resolved to recommend that Somerset’s final Corporate Peer Challenge report is considered by Scrutiny Corporate & Resources in March 2025 to ensure they have the opportunity to influence and contribute to the development of the subsequent Corporate Peer Challenge Action Plan.

Following consideration of the officer report, appendices and discussion, the Executive resolved to:

1. Accept the findings of the LGSCO reports and agrees to implement the recommendations set out in those reports;

2. Note and approve implementation of the improvement actions set out in paragraph 8 of this report;

3. Add a quarterly review of the SEND Action Plan to future agendas of Executive Committee.

Following consideration of the officer report, appendices and discussion, the Executive resolved to agree:

a. To Somerset Council continuing in the role of Host Authority and Accountable Body for the Somerset Rivers Authority for financial year 2025/26.

b. To review the revised 2025-26 Local Memorandum of Understanding and Constitution set out in Appendix 1 and authorise the Lead Member for Public Health, Climate Change and Environment to sign this on behalf of Somerset Council.

c. To review the proposed SRA Budget and SRA Enhanced Programme for 2025-26, (Appendix 2) in accordance with the recommendations to be considered by the SRA Board at its meeting on 7th March 2025.

d. Subject to Full Council confirming the raising of the SRA’s 2025-26 shadow precept on 5 March 2025, to the release of funding committed from all sources in 2025-26 for the purposes of the SRA as set out in Appendix 2.

e. That the detailed management of the 2025-26 SRA Budget and Enhanced Programme within the control total allocated to the SRA is undertaken in accordance with the constitutional, financial regulations and decision-making arrangements of Somerset Council as Accountable Body.

The Executive resolved to direct award the delivery of the specialist drug and alcohol treatment service to the current provider (SDAS) in line with the Provider Selection Regime (PSR) regulations for 2 years, with effect from April 2026 and with the option to extend for a further year.

Following consideration of the officer report, appendices and discussion, the Executive resolved to:

a) Note Council is now forecasting a balanced revenue position (on-budget).

b) Note the total Council revenue forecast underspend of £20.065m for the year. There is a forecast underspend of £14.005m within Service Directorates for 2024/25 and the Corporate Contingency of £6.000m, whilst remains unallocated it has been released into the forecast outturn within budget lines Table 1.

c) Note that the planned use of reserves of £36.800m for Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) Support towards the budget is forecast to reduce by £20.065m to £16.735m, due to the forecast underspend within budget lines (paragraph 18).

d) Agree that mitigating actions are to be identified in order to reduce any overspends, to take action and to contribute to the long-term financial sustainability of the authority.

e) Agree that the Council continues with the aim of avoiding a Section 114 notice by taking all of the necessary actions and continues to operate in a similar way to one being issued.

f) Note the progress and delivered savings of £32.217m of the approved savings programme as set out in Table 2 and Appendix J.

g) Note that work will continue to find mitigating or substitute savings for the £3.909m of Red unachievable savings, deliver the £0.727m Amber at risk savings and the £3.379m Green on track savings.

h) Note the in-year forecast overspend on the Dedicated Schools Grant of £31.300m, a decrease of £1.467m from Month 7 (paragraph 11).

i) Note the total forecast Dedicated Schools Grant year-end deficit of £65.211m as set out in Appendix C.

j) Note the collection rates for Council Tax and Business Rates as set out in paragraph 16.

k) Note the quarterly update from the Spend Control Board detailed in Appendix K.

l) Note the quarterly update on the prudential indicators detailed in Appendix L.

m) Note the outstanding debt position as detailed in Chart 3 and Appendix M.

n) Note the level of General Reserves is £60.000m (risk-based assessment – minimum £30m, maximum £60m) and repurpose of some specified earmarked reserves following a review of the Council’s balance sheet (see section 19).

o) Note the Capital Programme forecast outturn at Quarter 3 is £150.573m.

p) Approve the additional Quarter 2 capital slippage of £0.631m into future years

q) Approve £247.062m of additions to the capital programme, as detailed in Section 35 of this report.

Following consideration of the officer report, appendices and discussion, the Executive resolved to:

a) Note the Housing Revenue Account forecast overspend of £1.327m for 2024/25, the mitigations actions in the report and the impact on the HRA General Fund Reserve of this overspend.

b) Agree to take further mitigating actions to pull back the forecast overspend to a balanced outturn.

c) Note the forecast outturn position of the Capital Programme of £51.387m for 2024/25.

d) Note the budget additions of £2.894m approved through Key Decisions as in paragraph 24.

e) Note the Capital virements in Appendix C.

f) Approve updated slippage of £39.665m into future years.