Contact: Nick Gibbins, (01962) 847544; [email protected]

1 Summary

1.1 This is the first budget monitoring review of the year and indicates a few areas where revenue spending is likely to differ from the assumptions in the budget, which included a target of achieving £1m in efficiency savings. The most significant budgetary pressures relate to the Human Resources Department. In other areas, actions have been taken to contain spending within the cash limit.

1.2 Capital payments for the County Council at this early stage of the year are expected to be broadly in line with the budget forecast of £192m.

1.3 The following decisions are sought:

i) to note the current position on the monitoring of the revenue budget and capital programme

ii) to agree the allocation of £110,000 from the contingency for occupational health services

iii) to approve grants to the Trinity Centre, Winchester (£100,000) and to Citizens Advice Bureau for IT equipment (£50,000) from the sums earmarked by the Cabinet in June 2005. The grant to the Trinity Centre is to be paid in two instalments, £50,000 in 2005/06 with the remaining £50,000 towards the last £50,000 of the appeal target.

iv) to agree further additions to the 2005/06 Policy and Resources cash limit from sums earmarked by the Cabinet in June 2005 for:

	£'000
Finance input to efficiency plans and revised Comprehensive Performance assessment requirements	60
Pre-employment checks	55
Equalities strategy	20
Futures Group	21

2 Reason

2.1 Regular service budget monitoring reports are submitted to Executive Members to review whether any action is required to contain spending within cash limits and ensure that resources are utilised effectively.

2.2 Decisions on the Policy and Resources revenue budget and capital programme impact on the financial resources used by central services to support all other County Council services and as such relate to all the corporate strategy aims:

· Maximising life opportunities

· Stewardship of the environment

· Achieving economic prosperity

· Building strong and safe communities

· Improving services

· Developing councillors and staff

3 Other options considered and rejected

3.1 Not applicable

4 Conflicts of interest declared by the decision maker or other Executive member consulted

4.1 Not applicable

5 Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee

5.1 Not applicable

6 Reason(s) for the matter being dealt with if urgent

6.1 Not applicable

Approved by: Date:

Councillor T K Thornber