Decision details

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet:

1.    Note the budget monitoring position and treasury management update as at January 2023 (Month 10) as outlined in Part A of this report.

2.    Approve the financial recommendations set out in Part B of this report set out below:

a)    Approve the introduction from April 2023 of an enhanced housing management service charge for all HRA short life properties at £9.12 pw.

b)   Approve the introduction from April 2023 of a furniture and furnishings service charge for all new HRA short life properties (bedsit £22.12pw; 1 bed 26.84pw; 2 bed £37.55pw; 3bed+ £45.68pw).

c)    Accept a grant of £400k from Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust for extension of the Mental Health Crisis Recovery House pilot to 31 March 2024.

d)   Accept a grant of £340k from The Hillingdon Hospital NHS Foundation Trust to secure community support for virtual wards.

e)    Accept a grant of £300k from North West London Integrated Care Board to contribute to hospital discharge related costs incurred by Adult Social Care in 2022/23.

f)     Approve acceptance of gift funding in relation to a Planning Performance Agreement in accordance with the provisions of Section 93 of the Local Government Act 2003 for;

                             I.        Ainscough Cranes - £32,000

                            II.        1 Vinyl Square (NMA) - £5,000

                          III.        Bellmore Allotments - £32,000

                          IV.        Austin Road - £32,000

                           V.        Avondale Drive - £40,000

g)   Agree a multi-activity Summer Holiday Programme for the provision of out of school activities in Summer 2023, with those in receipt of benefits-related free school meals eligible for free and agree to introduce a charge of £92 for a full week (equivalent to £18.40 per day), for children not currently in receipt of free school meals.

h)   Accept a grant of £16,100 from the Department for Education for the financial years 2022/23 and 2023/24, for the Professional Development Programme for Early Years Practitioners.

i)     Accept a grant of £907k from The Hillingdon Hospital NHS Foundation Trust to contribute to community costs for supporting hospital discharge; and delegates authority to Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care, in consultation with the Executive Director of Adult Services and Health, approval of the spending plan for the grant.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet was informed of the forecast revenue, capital and treasury position for the current year 2022/23 to ensure the Council achieved its budgetary and service objectives.

The Cabinet Member for Finance noted that that the overall in-year position was stable, strong and predictable, with general balances predicted to be at £26.8m by year end. It was noted that the continuing pressures from Covid-19 were projected at £14.9m, and whilst lower than last year, would be absorbed within earmarked reserves.

The Cabinet Member explained the current national inflationary environment and the impact on the Council’s costs, which were also being absorbed through earmarked reserves and to a degree, vindicated the Council’s decision to factor in high inflation into the budget for next year. It was noted that the savings programme was on track and would be delivered. In respect of the capital programme, whilst this was £22m under budget to due delays on agreed projects, such spend would be re-phased into future years.

In respect of the Dedicated Schools Grant it was noted that this had also suffered from cost inflation in respect of high needs placements, particularly those out-of-borough, but that the year-end deficit was showing a further reduction and the Council’s work to create additional special needs places was making good progress. It was also noted that the Department for Education had agreed to the Council’s disapplication request to transfer funds to the high needs block. The Cabinet Member also updated Cabinet on the Housing Revenue Account.

Other financial recommendations approved by the Cabinet included the acceptance of range of Government or external grants, along with new fees for the Summer Holiday Programme in 2023, and new service charges for short-life properties in respect of housing management services and furniture and furnishings.

An addendum was tabled to update a recommendation relating to the virtual ward grants and in order make a decision on accepting a grant recently received to further support hospital discharge work.

Alternative options considered and rejected

None.