Agenda item

Following scrutiny, the report was noted.

Members considered the report as circulated within the agenda pack.

Members queried how officers were monitoring the unachieved in year projected savings within the various departments. Officers confirmed that there are monthly meetings with the various service managers to consider their budgets an determine what they are doing in relation to income and savings delivered to date and where they consider their budgets are likely to be at the end of the year. Whilst it is acknowledged that this can be subjective, it is accepted that this the red, amber, green assessments are the best view in terms of whether the savings are deliverable moving forward. When considering budget planning for the forthcoming year, the recurring pressures are then given consideration as to whether they need to be considered as base budget pressures or if its merely a timing issue.

Members queried why inflation had not been awarded within the 24/25 budget. Officers confirmed that no inflation was awarded for the supplies and services budget. Therefore, any department which had a supplies and services budget were advised that they had to deliver within their respective cash budgets. However, what had not been pre-empted was that particular areas would rise at over 3%, for example highways maintenance. This meant that the budget was put under greater pressure and resulted in an in-year over spend. Moving forward, officers are considering a service specific approach to ensure that inflation is allocated accordingly across the various services.

Members queried the overspend on the home to school transport budget and queried whether there was an ability to rectify this overspend in-year. Members were advised that the in-year target savings of £250,000 was supposed to be achieved through retendering of a batch of home to school transport routes in September. However, following the retendering process the savings did not accrue and the routes came out more expensive. Some of the cost increase was offset by route rationalisation, however the overall position reflected an overspend of £659,000. A meeting has been held with the consultants who have indicated that if the retendering process is carried out again next year, they are confident that they should be able to deliver the £350,000 overspend, plus the £500,000 that in the medium-term financial plan. There is also further work going on within the service area to try and reduce transport costs. Members outlined their concern with regards to the contract and the fact that savings have not yet materialised. Officers confirmed that the work that is being carried out by NPT officers, is complimentary to the external consultants. Officers confirmed that there is a multiservice input to manage this project. Officers suggested that a member seminar on this item may be useful to members to understand the contract and the service areas involved in this project. Members suggested that a joint scrutiny meeting needs to be called to consider this item in further detail.

Members noted the school deficits that are coming forward and queried the reality of the recovery plans for the school budgets? Officers outlined the process that is undertaken to draft and sign off the recovery plans. Members were advised that the final sign off is by the director, at which point the plans are very realistic. The time frame for each school will vary.

Members noted that the report outlined new measures in place with regards to breakages of household recycling equipment and asked for further information on this item. Officers advised that there has been a lot of breakages and there is a batch of the old kit which is still in circulated and was more susceptible to damage that other kit. Crews are being briefed on a regular basis about placing equipment back at the collection point as opposed to throwing it. Members of the public can also report equipment as ‘damaged by crew’ and complaints can be cross referenced against collection crews. This allows for specific crews to be address where recurring problems are identified. Supervisors are also carrying out random spot checks in particular hot spots of damaged equipment.

It was noted that the street lighting overspend of £220,000 was marked green. It was confirmed that this was an error and that the saving had not been achieved.

Member queried the current progress on street lighting savings. Officers advised that there was currently a pilot taking place with regards to possible options. When the pilot ends, a report will be brought before Cabinet to consider the findings of the pilot and any suggested way forward. The initiative has been brought forward to try and reduce the carbon footprint and reduce the amount of money that is spent on energy.

Following scrutiny, the report was noted.