I’M writing to clarify the budget status.
Like any well run business the council reviews its financial performance quarterly. The purpose is to identify risks so that they can be addressed in a timely manner.
As the year unfolds there are sometimes unexpected additional demands. Anyone who has ever run a business knows that this type of uncertainly is a reality of life. 
If there were no reviews problems would only become apparent when it was too late to do anything about them.
At the end of October the estimates indicate a £4 million pressure if no action is taken – however we are taking action to restrict spending and we predict we will balance our books by the end of the financial year.
The main areas of increased demand are children’s social care and services for disabled children and adults. 
The fact is that these residents can’t be ignored. It is the duty of the council to protect them from risk and exploitation and to assist them to have better life chances.
I’ve yet to meet anyone who disagrees with this.
It is no pleasure to cite the figures for other councils so I won’t, suffice to say that care cost problems are universal and reported in the press.
To put these figures in context:
• We have saved over £100 million over the past five years.
• The £25 million savings for 2016/17 are due to reduced government grants and increased demand.
• The £4 million to be saved is 1.3 per cent of the council’s net budget.
• Within four years the council has to save another £45 million.
The council is working hard to deliver vital services in difficult times and will have to continue to do so in the future as the need to save money continues relentlessly.
It’s a tough old world.
Dick Tonge
Cabinet Member for Finance