Issue - meetings

This report covers this Committees financial position over the medium term (2024 – 2027) as at Period 3 (end of June).

Recommendation

That Members note & comment on the contents of the report.

The Associate Director for Environment advised the Committee that the Budget Management report has already been reviewed and approved by the Policy and Resources Committee. As per standard procedure, the report is presented to the Service Committee for acknowledgment and for Members to provide any comments or feedback regarding its contents.

In response to a question raised regarding the corporate climate change budget that shows a significant expenditure, the officer responded by explaining that the minus figure indicates external funding received by the council, specifically from the social housing decarbonisation fund, which is being used to retrofit social homes.

Members inquired about the staffing situation in the Residential Housing & Environmental Health department, highlighting ongoing challenges in recruiting qualified personnel for the senior Housing Enforcement Officer position. The officer mentioned the national shortage of qualified officers and acknowledged previous reliance on interim staff. However, the officer advised that the position has now been filled permanently, resulting in the team being fully staffed with permanent members.

Members raised a question regarding a sum of £41,400 in the report, seeking clarity on whether this amount is recoverable from central government support. The officer outlined the Home Office funding received for participation in resettlement schemes, specifically highlighting support for two Afghan families under the ARAP and ACRS schemes.

RESOLVED:

That Members note and comment on the contents of the report.