PAPER B


 

SOCIAL SERVICES, HOUSING AND BENEFITS SELECT COMMITTEE – 8 MAY 2003

 

BUDGET MONITORING REPORT AS AT END OF MARCH 2003

 

REPORT OF THE HEAD OF POLICY, PERFORMANCE AND RESOURCES

 

SUMMARY/PURPOSE

 

This report sets out the budget and spending position on both revenue and capital for the services within this Committee remit, as at the end of March.  The figures at Appendix 1 do not include budgets that are controlled elsewhere.  These are monitored by the Committee, which bears responsibility for the item concerned.  (For example, Resources Select Committee monitors the building maintenance budget centrally, and building maintenance costs are not therefore shown against individual services below). However, as requested by members building maintenance costs are now shown at Appendix 1A for information.

 

REVENUE EXPENDITURE (2002/03)

 

The net expenditure statement up to 31 March 2003 for the Social Services and Housing budgets is set out in appendix 1.

 

The promoting independence grant was unexpectedly reduced this year leading to a cost pressure of £148,000 on the two independent living resource centres.  These are of central importance in reducing hospital bed blocking and promoting independence. 

 

The implementation of the Supporting People Programme is estimated to be overspent at the year end by approximately £50,000.  It is planned to contain this overspend within the overall directorate budget.

 

Based on the information available to date the Directorate is currently projecting a potential underspend at the end of the financial year of approximately £6,000. This is less than 0.1% of the net budget for the Directorate. This takes into account the above cost pressure caused by the reduction in the promoting independence grant and supporting people.  This is deemed to be within the limits of tolerance and no action is proposed.

 

This report does not represent the final position for 2002/03 as the closedown process is still progressing and there are a significant number of entries still to be made.  It does however reflect the projected position once all such entries have been made and closedown is complete.  The final position will be known after the end of June 03.

 

CAPITAL EXPENDITURE (2002/03)

 

The expenditure is set out in Appendix 2.  We will be reporting on this area at each Committee.  Most of the allocation is for social housing.  In most years, the Housing Capital Programme is approved early in the year, when the funding/programme is committed.  Building works proceed during the year, with the delivery/spend occurring largely in the last quarter of the year. 

 

Contact Point: Kerry Hubbleday/Dawn Cousins, ( 520600 ext.2213/2240

 

                                                                        GLEN GARROD

                                                Strategic Director of Social Services and Housing