Agenda item

The Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Resources, Bromsgrove District Council (BDC) and Redditch Borough Council (RBC), introduced the report and in doing so drew Members’ attention to the Recommendations as detailed on pages 17 and 18 of the main agenda pack. The report covered the period April to September 2024.

Members were informed that the detailed revenue monitoring report, as attached at Appendix 1 to the report; showed a projected outturn 2024/25 of £5k surplus; and was based on the following assumptions: -

• A 3% pay award had been added to the projected outturn figures, as per the original budget. A final agreement for the 24-25 pay award of £1,209 per annum on all pay points below spinal points 43 had been received. The agreement was received after the completion of Quarter 2 revenue monitoring. Therefore, the impact would be reflected in Quarter 3 revenue monitoring.

• WRS had budgeted for a 3% pay award in 2024-25. The current pay award of £1,290 per annum on all pay points (pro rata for part time work) had now been accepted by employers and unions, the additional pressure on WRS salaries would be £21,405. WRS were unable to cover this increase, therefore an increase to partner funding would be required of:-

• If April to September 24 spend on pest control continued on the same trend for the rest of year, there would be an overspend on this service of £13k. WRS officers would continue to monitor and analyse this spend and advise of any changes in the projected outturn figure at Quarter 3.

The projected outturn figure to be funded by partners was:-

Redditch Borough Council           £7k

Wychavon District Council           £6k                         

• The following were the actual bereavements costs April – September 24 to be funded by partners. These costs were charged on an as and when basis. Due to the nature of the charge, it was not possible to project a final outturn figure:                               

                                Bromsgrove District Council       £3k

                              Malvern Hills District Council      £4k

                                Redditch Borough Council          £6k

                              Worcester City Council              £1k      

     Other items for Members to note were: -  

• £122k Ukrainian employees, offset to income on Appendix 1.
• £4.1 million salary budget on Appendix 1.

In response to a question raised on using reserves to meet any overspend, the

Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Resources explained that, although there was a small general reserve, it was not wise to use this for something that would be ongoing expenditure and it was better corrected now to reflect the costs of the partnership.

RESOLVED that the Board

1.1note the final financial position for the period April – Sept 2024

1.2partner councils are informed of their liabilities for Apr – Sept 24 in relation to Bereavements, as follows:-

1.3partner councils are informed of their liabilities for 2024-25 in relation to

     additional Technical Officers, as follows:-

1.4 Approve the additional partner liabilities for 2024/25 in relation to the additional increase in pay award and recommend the increase to individual partner councils, as follows:-