To receive Report No.66/2021 from the Strategic Director for Resources ahead of its presentation to Cabinet at their meeting on 15 June 2021.

(Report to follow)

Report No. 66/2021 was received from Mr Della Rocca, Strategic Director of Resources.  The report was to inform the Cabinet and all members of the provisional revenue and capital outturn for 20/21 including the impact from COVID, to give the latest position on the 21/22 budget and the latest Medium Term Financial Plan position including the financial gap.  During the discussion, the following points were noted:

·                  Cllr Payne informed attendees that the grants received during the pandemic, although small, had been used wisely.

·                  The surplus budget recorded had been allocated and financial pressures continued.

·                  The situation was not unique to Rutland County Council but was being experienced by other local authorities.

·                  Mr Della Rocca advised that 44 questions had been received from the Committee members regarding the report but that, due to time restraints, he asked the committee to highlight the key questions for him to address.

·                  It was confirmed by Mr Della Rocca that he had previously informed members of the significant challenges faced by the council and the impact of the pandemic on the council’s resources.

·                  Mr Della Rocca advised that Adult Services had seen a 100% increase in the number of complex cases dealt with during the pandemic whilst other services including Children’s Services had also dealt with an increase in the number of people/children accessing their services.

·                  There were many variables to be accounted for and a more detailed budget review was being planned after a deep-dive exercise had taken place.

·                  Mr Della Rocca stated that no long-term decisions were made during the pandemic regarding recruitment as nobody had known just how long the pandemic would last.

·                  Miss Waller stated that she hoped that some of the surplus money would be used for the recruitment of staff.

·                  Mr Brown noted the amount held in reserves and queried as to what the justification was for holding that amount in reserve funding.  Mr Della Rocca stated that that the reserves were required to fund the £2-£3 million deficit in the budget as projected by the medium-term plan.

·                  Mr Oxley informed attendees that it had taken a long time for the Council to accumulate the reserves.

·                  The Committee confirmed that the Council should continue to be prudent in its spending and should endeavour to make savings where possible. 

·                  Miss Waller expressed a wish for council officers to have financial budget setting training.

·                  Mr Hemsley confirmed that a Unitary Council Network (UCN) meeting would be held on the 23^rd June 2021 to discuss funding requirements with central government.

·                  Mr Della Rocca confirmed that a written response to questions would be sent to committee members.

RESOLVED:

a)    That Mr Della Rocca would provide a WRITTEN RESPONSE to questions received from committee members.

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The Chair with the agreement of the Committee proceeded to agenda item 12 as Cllr Stephenson had not arrived and she was engaged in another meeting.

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