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- Council on track to balance budget for seventh year running
Council on track to balance budget for seventh year running
- By Chief Editor
- Published 22 Feb 2010
- Herefordshire
- Unrated
Herefordshire Council is on track to bring in its finances within budget at the end of the financial year – balancing its books for the seventh year running.
The council’s cabinet heard that the council will not overspend this year, despite another year of severe financial pressure, as a result of the escalating costs of providing social care for the county’s growing older population, safeguarding children and keeping primary routes open during the recent extreme weather.
Director of resources David Powell reported that the finance team were confident that the budget would balance by 31 March 2010. The position is in contrast to many other local authorities across the country, which are announcing majo
r overspends, swingeing cuts to public services and job cuts.
The cabinet heard that there was a projected overspend of £2.7 million for social care and £0.6 million for children’s services. But recovery plans and spending controls in other directorates, the use of social care contingency funds and reductions on borrowing costs will achieve a balanced budget overall.
The budget report also showed that over 10,000 tonnes of grit have been used on Herefordshire’s roads this winter so far, mostly during the first two weeks of January. This has put pressure on the winter maintenance budget of £1.1 million and cabinet approved the transfer of £500,000 from reserves.
The council’s cabinet heard that the council will not overspend this year, despite another year of severe financial pressure, as a result of the escalating costs of providing social care for the county’s growing older population, safeguarding children and keeping primary routes open during the recent extreme weather.
Director of resources David Powell reported that the finance team were confident that the budget would balance by 31 March 2010. The position is in contrast to many other local authorities across the country, which are announcing majo
The cabinet heard that there was a projected overspend of £2.7 million for social care and £0.6 million for children’s services. But recovery plans and spending controls in other directorates, the use of social care contingency funds and reductions on borrowing costs will achieve a balanced budget overall.
The budget report also showed that over 10,000 tonnes of grit have been used on Herefordshire’s roads this winter so far, mostly during the first two weeks of January. This has put pressure on the winter maintenance budget of £1.1 million and cabinet approved the transfer of £500,000 from reserves.