Next week the Full Council agrees the 209 page Budget statement for 2019/20. This is a weighty document for the busy reader. Below is a quick guide through the main highlights. What’s […]
Conservative administration “reveals its hand” in first detailed Budget update – Care required!
Since May 2018, there have been a number of reports presented to the Cabinet about gaps in the Council budget: 2018 / 19 – £21m gap ( £12m caused by the overspend […]
Council forecast £21m hit to finances this year (2018/19) – what happened to the ‘balanced budget’?
In January 2018, the previous Labour administration presented to Full Council a “balanced budget” for 2018/19, and 2019/20. This meant that in-year expenditure on all services, would be covered by available Government/Council […]
Executive Scrutiny Board examines the £12m budget gap: a different way of planning, or a total surprise?
In a previous article “The £12m gap in next year’s Council budget is more concerning than the A52 overspend. The financial planning system is “out of control”.” I reported on the latest […]
The £12m gap in next year’s Council budget is more concerning than the A52 overspend. The financial planning system is “out of control”.
At the Cabinet Meeting next week the new Conservative administration will present its proposed Medium Term Financial Strategy for 2019/2020 to 2022/2023. The plan reveals a significant gap between expected spend and […]
Good news! Council to receive an additional £6m government funding this year.
As lead partner in a consortium of local authorities in the county, Derby City Council is taking part in a pilot scheme to enable the Government to develop its plan to move […]
Council budget reserves increased by £46m since 2010 – so why the continuing cuts to services?
Since 2010 Derby City Council has done a good job in managing its finances and protecting its reserves – in fact so good, specific usable budget reserves have increased by £46m! Many […]
Steep rise in Council’s controversial building programme relies on funding risks – election year fizz?
Derby, like all cities, needs to spend considerable amounts of money each year on maintaining, and developing schools, roads, housing, and completing significant new infrastructure projects. These are long term programmes, which […]
Council to hit budget this year; with some interesting swings, and no need to close libraries.
Delivering on budget for any organisation is always a success, especially one the size of Derby City Council – this is the expectation for 2017/18 ( reported in the Cabinet meeting 14 […]
How much money did the Council get to spend each year. Nearly constant since 2010. Massive cuts?
There is only fact that is certain with Council finances, and that is the amount of money (revenue) available to the Council to spend each year ( exc. schools) No one knows […]
Council finds £5.3m new savings! Choose to save care/library services, or create 11 more senior management jobs costing £500k pa?
The Council Cabinet will be discussing its 2018/19 Budget next week following a period of consultation at the end of 2017. It found savings in the budget of £5.3m principally due to: […]
The 14 Budget Consultation questions that Cllr Shanker isn’t answering.
The Council’s annual budget consultation was issued on 2 November seeking public input by 13 December 2017. The press were invited to a meeting to ask questions, and interview Cllr Shanker ( […]
Council “slashes” £70m off its budget cuts claim.
The Council has been telling the public over the last few years about the massive cuts made to services as a result of reductions in the Government Grant. During the 2016 election […]
Council’s Brown Bin Scheme is now costing Derby money – what happened to the £1m saving?
Following further requests under Freedom of Information it is now clear that the Council’s Brown Bin Scheme is costing the city more than it saves. The principle of charging residents for a […]
No “proper arrangements” to secure “value for money” or “make informed decisions”
A very damning conclusion to the Auditor’s report on the 2015/16 Statement of Accounts. A review of the full report is being undertaken and further issues will be reported on in due […]
“Smoke and Mirrors” : Council declares £28m ‘cuts’ yet total funding remains flat.
In the most recent Budget consultation (published 12 December 2016) , it states that £28m cuts are required over the next 3 years from 2017/18. For the sake of clarity – there […]
Last day for toilets as Council cancels expensive 30 year contract
Between 1989-1991 the Council decided to install 3 automatic, single toilet units on 30 year contracts at a total forward rental cost to the Tax payer of £1.9m. This was being paid […]
Significant financial decisions for a Council that has no money
For a Council that is having to monitor revenue spending very closely, then the business cases for these significant projects, need to be robust and transparent. We look forward to the point […]
How the £250k Moorways Swimming Pool saving was calculated.
Previously the Council had advised that they could not provide numbers regarding the savings attributable to Moorways. In a further request they have supplied this breakdown which supports the numbers ( more […]
Austerity?: Labour Council to vote – £90k on political assistants it cannot afford!
The Labour Council has been unrelenting in its pursuit of the rhetoric about Tory Government cuts. Funding has been so severely shaved that vital services and public events have had to be […]