Issue - meetings

Purpose

To inform the Cabinet Member of the projected revenue expenditure within the portfolio cash limit and capital programme for the current financial year 2020/21. This report sets out the budget position and contributing factors to the projected spend within the portfolio as at the end of September 2020.

Recommendations

It is recommended that the Cabinet Member:

1.            Notes the Children, Families and Education Portfolio forecast revenue and capital budget positions, as at the end of September 2020, together with the variance and pressure explanations.

2.            Approves the proposed Education capital scheme budget virements to realign the budgets in-line with the capital scheme changes as set out in the Schools Modernisation Programme report and section 6 of this report.

The report was introduced by Angela Mann, Finance Manager.

In response to questions regarding the costs of the unaccompanied asylum seekers budgets Alison Jeffery ( Director of Children, Families and Education) advised that the government had considerably increased the allowance per child per week for unaccompanied asylum seekers to the point that more money was coming in than was being spent per child. Alison explained that when the young people pass the age of 18 and become care leavers the position switches, which means that more money is then being spent than what is being received from the government.

DECISIONS: The Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education:

1. Noted the Children, Families and Education Portfolio forecast revenue and capital budget positions, as at the end of September 2020, together with the variance and pressure explanations.

2. Approved the proposed Education capital scheme budget virements to realign the budgets in-line with the capital scheme changes as set out in the Schools Modernisation Programme report and section 6 of this report.