Strict controls have helped put Brighton and Hove City Council’s finances back on track, according to a report published yesterday (Wednesday 25 November).
The report – to the council’s Policy and Resources Committee on Thursday 3 December – sets out a significantly improved budget position for the current financial year.
It comes after a range of measures were put in place to control spending.
The forecast overspend will be reported as being £1.65 million in October (month 7), an improvement of nearly £3 million on the previous month’s forecasted of £4.75 million.
In September the forecast overspend for August (month 5) was reported as £7.2milion.
The recent improvement means that the council expects to bring the budget in on target at the end of the financial year next spring.
The council said: “The reduction in overspend follows the introduction of strict financial controls across the council in September, including spending restrictions and a recruitment freeze.
“This approach was confirmed at a Special Policy and Resources Committee convened by the leader of the council and held on (Wednesday) 4 November.”
Council leader Warren Morgan said: “It’s clear that these strict recruitment and financial controls are having the effect that is needed but we must continue being vigilant with our spending to make sure that we stay in control.
“That said, there are still significant pressure on our children’s and adult’s social care budgets and our temporary accommodation budget.”
Councillor Morgan added: “The budget proposals for the next four years, that we are publishing on Thursday 26 November, address how we plan to redesign services, strip out middle management cost and improve efficiency across the council as we attempt to deal with a £68 million reduction in our grant funding from central government.”
