Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Director of Strategy, Performance and Governance, (copy enclosed).

The Council considered the report of the Director of Strategy, Performance and Governance seeking Members’ approval of a supplementary estimate to support the Council’s finance function to ensure a robust financial service was in place.

The report outlined the transformation programme recently implemented by the Council to improve services to customers and the high level risks a recent internal finance audit had highlighted.  It was noted that a review of the model and the way it was working within the Directorate was being undertaken.  There was requirement for a short-term additional resource to support the finance team in ensuring financial stability and to continue the process improvement work required as part of the transformation model. 

A number of related risks and options were set out in the report.  It was noted that to minimise risks and have the highest likelihood for delivery of the improvements to provide financial stability Officers were proposing that Option C – recruitment of a one-year fixed term finance specialist be agreed

In response to a number of questions raised, the Interim Section 151 Officer provided Members with the following additional information:

·                 There had been difficulties recruiting into posts and it was noted that recruitment into financial positions was a national issue at the moment. 

·                 A supplementary estimate was being requested as it was hoped that someone could be recruited prior to 31 March 2020, however whatever budget costs were not used would be carried forward into the following years’ budget. 

·                 The results of the recent internal finance audit along with explanation of them would be presented to a future meeting of the Performance, Governance and Audit Committee.

·                 The costs detailed was for all costs, including on-costs and the estimated maximum costs that the Council would incur.

RESOLVED that a budget requirement of £49,280 be agreed to fund and recruit a qualified fixed term finance specialist to support the finance function to ensure a robust financial service is in place and continue the handover of finance processes to caseworkers in accordance with the transformation model.