Decision details

RESOLVED:

KEY DECISION

That the Executive:

a)    Noted the Council’s forecast outturn position for 2022/23 as summarised in Section 4, alongside the further analysis, risks and other considerations as set out from Section 5 of the report onwards.

b)    Noted the assessment of the current deliverability of the 2022/23 savings proposals in Appendix A of the report.

c)    Approved the inclusion of a grant and associated expenditure of £98k in respect of support for developing the Council’s approach to Social Care Reforms.  See paragraph 5.23.

d)    Approved the use of earmarked reserves totalling £3.938m to mitigate in year pressures relating to Home to School Transport, short-term vehicle leasing costs, commercial income for grounds maintenance and facilities management from the previous Wellingborough NORSE contract, and Knuston Hall as referenced in paragraphs 5.33 and 5.37 respectively.

e)    Approved an increase in the gross budget of £2.696m to provide support for families and individuals in specific financial hardship to be funded from the Household Support Fund 2 grant of £2.466m as reported to Executive in June and a further contribution of £230k from the Public Health Reserve to underwrite the potential shortfall in the School Holiday Food Voucher Scheme over the Summer break.  See paragraphs 5.49 and 5.50.

f)     Noted the use of £650k of the contingency budget to support the Maintained Nurseries as previously agreed by Council.

g)    Noted the use of £1.150m of the contingency budget to fund a salary increment for all eligible employees in 2022/23.  This will include staff not at the top of their grade where their protected TUPE terms and conditions of employment have no contractual entitlement to incremental progression as agreed by the Employment Committee at meeting on 28^th June 2022, alongside staff with a contractual entitlement to increments.  See paragraph 5.53.

Reason for Recommendations – to note the forecast financial position for 2022/23 as at Period 2 and consider the impact on this year and future years budgets.