Issue - meetings

This report presents the forecast revenue outturn position for the current financial year 2024/25, as at Quarter 3, covering the period 01/04/2024 to 31/12/2024.

The Committee received a report presenting the forecast revenue outturn position for the current financial year 2024/25, as at Quarter 3 (31 December).

The following matters were considered:

a)            Nightly paid accommodation. A Member of the Committee raised their concern with the rise in spend on nightly paid accommodation and implored the Council to get a grip on the situation quickly. The Member raised that the borough does not have enough long-term affordable housing. The Member invited the Director of Corporate Services (S151) to comment. The Chair informed the Committee that the Community and Wellbeing Committee are progressing their Homelessness Strategy and suggested that an update or assurance could be requested of the Chair of C&W to provide further information on the situation.  The Director of Corporate Services (S151) explained that the forecast overspend for the year, of £475,000, was flagged in quarter two and remains the same in quarter three. The Director of Corporate Services (S151) noted the pressure, and informed the Committee that it is carrying on at the same level as before, not increasing. The Director of Corporate Services (S151) raised that provision of housing is a matter for the capital programme and the available resources within that.

Following consideration, the Committee unanimously resolved to:

(1)      Receive the revenue budget monitoring report, which sets-out a projected deficit of £230,000 for 2024/25;

(2)      Note that the forecast includes an adverse variance of £475,000 within Homelessness and that regular reports will continue to be prepared for Community & Wellbeing Committee to update members on progress against the Homelessness Strategy and Action Plan;

(3)      Note that the final outturn position will be reported to Strategy & Resources Committee in July 2025, then to this committee alongside the Statement of Accounts in autumn.