This report sets out the projected revenue and capital outturn positions for 2021/22 for both the General Fund and the Housing Revenue Accounts as at the end of December 2021 (Quarter 3).  The report also sets out performance against the measures of success published in the Council’s Corporate Plan.

Stuart Donnelly, Financial Planning & Strategy Manager, submitted a report, which had been considered by Policy Committee on 7 March 2022 (Minute 84 refers) setting out the projected revenue and capital outturn positions for 2021/22 for the General Fund and the Housing Revenue Accounts as at the end of December 2021 (Quarter 3).  The forecasts included best estimates of the additional pressures arising due to Covid-19.  The report also summarised performance against the measures of success published in the Council’s Corporate Plan.  The following documents were attached to the report:

• Appendix 1 – Financial Monitoring for Quarter 3
• Appendix 2 – Corporate Plan Measures for Quarter 3
• Appendix 3 – Corporate Plan Measures for Quarter 3 (Charts)
• Appendix 4 – Corporate Plan Projects for Quarter 3

The report explained that the forecast General Fund revenue outturn position as at the end of Quarter 3 was an overspend on service expenditure of £7.996m. This included net overspends of £3.148m within the Directorate of Adult Care and Health Services and £4.478m within the Directorate of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services, which included £4.223m of costs that were attributable to Covid-19.  It had previously been agreed that the overspend on services would be funded through a combination of Covid-19 support grant that was available for 2021/22 and £3.844m of corporate contingencies. The use of this combination of contingencies and one-off resources meant than an underspend of £0.274m was now projected for 2021/22 but such an approach was not sustainable in the medium to longer term and had been addressed as part of 2022/23 budget setting.

The report also stated that the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) was projecting an underspend of £2.310m as at the end of Quarter 3, the General Fund Capital Programme was forecast to underspend by £45.457m in 2021/22 and the HRA Capital Programme was forecast to underspend by £16.203m in 2021/22.  £6.096m (30%) of savings had been delivered to date in the financial year, with a further £4.952m (25%) of savings on track to be delivered by March 2022.  £5.638m (28%) of savings were currently categorised as non-deliverable with a further £3.522m (17%) categorised as at risk of delivery.

Resolved:     That the2021/22 Quarter 3 Performance and Monitoring Report and the recommendations set out and approved by Policy Committee on 7 March 2022be noted.