To invite cabinet members to consider performance for the first six months of 2016/17 and the projected budget outturn for the year.

The cabinet member for economy and corporate services introduced the report.

The cabinet member for health and wellbeing noted a much improved position for adult social care, although challenges remained. There was a projected overspend for 2016/17. There had been an increase in the number of reviews completed, ensuring that the right care was being provided for the right people.

The director for children’s wellbeing reported that the projected overspend in children’s wellbeing was stable and there was confidence that savings would be delivered in 2017/18. The inspection by OfSTED and the Care Quality Commission of services for children with special educational needs and disabilities had recognised a number of strengths and this would be reported fully on receipt of the final inspection letter.

The director highlighted that education performance was improving in every key stage, with a 3 year trend of improvement. The performance of the early years foundation stage had shown particular improvement and Herefordshire was now in the top quartile nationally.

The cabinet member for economy and corporate services highlighted the projected underspend for the ECC directorate but warned that poor weather over the coming winter months could impact on this with additional gritting costs for example. He noted that the reduction in both the headcount and the level of absence had contributed to savings. The city centre link road was reported to be progressing and the energy from waste plant was ahead of schedule.

The director of resources reported that at the end of September 2016 the council was projecting a small overspend and that work was ongoing on the savings plan. He stated that he believed the council would achieve a balanced budget by the end of the financial year. The director noted slippage on capital spend and highlighted the potential impact of winter weather on projects. He also noted some small savings on borrowing costs due to low interest rates.

In response to a query from a group leader the director for economy communities and corporate stated that the overall income from car parking had increased but by less than had been forecast and the options to address this were being explored.

A scrutiny chair noted that the council had received a £2m grant for rural improvements and asked if some of this funding could be used for rural road repairs. The leader responded that a statement on the use of the grant would be made shortly.

A group leader noted that the adults and wellbeing budget had increased but the projected overspend had reduced by a lesser amount. The head of corporate finance highlighted that information had been combined in the dashboard but listed separately in the budget information.

It was noted that the children’s dashboard did not have coloured RAG ratings on projects. This was inadvertent and the information could be recirculated if required. The director for children’s wellbeing reported that by and large the projects listed were proceeding in accordance with the plans.

A group leader asked if some of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 59