Contact: Anne Hibbert, (01962) 847533; [email protected]

1 Summary

1.1 This report is the second monitoring report for 2007/08.

1.2 At the end of August 2007, on-going budget pressures within corporately held land, sites for gypsies and travellers and the Coroner Service mean net expenditure for 2007/08 is likely to exceed the budget for these areas. Actions have been identified to manage the budget and the budgetary position will continue to be monitored closely throughout the year. H3CS are benefiting from a sustained increase in demand, but will face higher pay costs once the new pay framework is implemented. IT Services have financial plans in place to eliminate a projected deficit over the next two years. Other budgets are anticipated to be within cash limit.

1.3 Capital expenditure for the County Council for 2007/08 is forecast to be a little above the estimate of £187.5m reported to Cabinet on 9 February 2007, but this is not unexpected in view of the slippage against planned expenditure in 2006/07. Actual capital receipts to 31 August 2007 were £33.8m, increasing to £43.5m as further stage payments due in 2007/08 are received.

1.4 Decisions required:

a) To note the current position on the monitoring of the revenue budget and capital programme.

2 Reason(s)

2.1 Budget monitoring reports are submitted regularly to the Executive Member to review whether any action is required to deal with variations between planned and actual spending. The Policy and Resources revenue budget and capital programme includes financial resources for a range of direct services and for central services that support all other County Council services and as such contribute to each priority of the corporate strategy.

3 Other options considered and rejected:

3.1 Not applicable.

4 Conflicts of interest declared by the decision maker or other Executive member consulted - none

5 Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - none

6 Reason(s) for the matter being dealt with if urgent - none

Approved by: (signature) Date: (date of decision)

Councillor T K Thornber

Executive Member for Policy and Resources Date: (date of decision)