URL: https://moderngov.stoke.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=24627

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose: To summarise the financial position of the General Fund, Dedicated Schools Grant, Housing Revenue Account and Capital Investment Programme as at the end of March 2026

Content: Agreed (i) - That it be noted, that following the application of Exceptional Financial Support (EFS) the provisional outturn on the General Fund is a balanced position. Agreed (ii) - That it be noted, that without the use of EFS the net overspend position would have been £16.8 million. In addition, £2.3 million has been allocated to the Strategic Risk Reserve to provide and strengthen financial resilience, and £5.5 million of capital receipts have been used to support transformation costs. Agreed (iii) - That it be noted, that the overspends relate almost entirely to demand in Children and Family Services and Adult Social Care. Pressures in other areas have been offset by underspends and mitigating actions. Expenditure continues to be closely managed and tightly controlled, with ongoing efforts to identify further mitigations, some of which are non-recurring in nature. Agreed (iv) - That it be noted, that all directorates will continue to maintain strict control over expenditure in order to address ongoing challenges and uncertainties within the current financial climate, and to manage any emerging budgetary pressures. Agreed (v) - That the position against 2025/26 General Fund saving proposals be noted. Agreed (vi) - That the position on the strategic contingency and the transformation budget be noted. Agreed (vii) - That the provisional outturn on the Dedicated Schools Grant be noted. Agreed (viii) - That the provisional outturn on the Housing Revenue Account be noted. Agreed (ix) - That the provisional outturn and the summary of changes on the Capital Investment Programme be noted.   N.B.  THIS REPORT IS FOR INFORMATION AND THEREFORE NOT SUBJECT TO CALL-IN.

Date of Decision: June 23, 2026