To consider a report of the Executive Member for Finance and Investment and Corporate Director, Finance and Systems.

The Executive Member for Finance and Investment was in attendance to present a report which informed Members of the 2019/20 outturn figures relating to both Revenue and Capital budgets, and the level of General and Service Reserves. It also summarised the final unaudited position for Council Tax and Business Rates within the Collection Fund. The Executive Member also took the opportunity to brief the Committee on some of the principal challenges, mainly linked to the impact of Covid-19, facing the Council’s budget in the current and coming years.

An opportunity was provided for Members to raise questions on the content of the report. These centred on the level of the Council’s reserves; the nature and timing of support received from central Governments; the approach to managing demand-led budgets; the position in respect of capital funding for cycling schemes; and underspends on staffing. On the latter two points, it was agreed that further updates could be provided outside the meeting.

            RESOLVED – That the content of the report be noted.