Purpose

Quarterly report

Decision

This report set out the forecast Revenue and Capital outturn position for Buckinghamshire Council for the financial year 2026/27 as at Quarter 1. Overall, the forecast revenue outturn was a balanced position.

The Council continued to experience pressures from increases in demand and complexity of need in the key services of Adult Social Care, Children’s Social Care, Temporary Accommodation, and High Needs budgets within the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG).

Portfolios were reporting an adverse variance of £4.9m (1.0% of Portfolio budgets), offset by a favourable variance in Corporate and Funding budgets.

There were pressures within Children’s Social Care of £6.7m linked to cost and complexity of Looked After Children and challenges in the delivery of planned MTFP savings; in Adult Social Care £2.0m and Temporary Accommodation £0.4m. These pressures were offset by the expected growth in Home to School Transport not coming through as quickly as projected and additional income within planning.

A balanced position overall was due to a favourable variance in Corporate and Funding budgets. This had created the opportunity to make some one-off investments and included an allowance of £10.1m to be set aside for risk in the context of the current geopolitical climate and for investment in key priorities.

Cabinet was recommended to approve the following one-off investments:

·       Reallocate £3m of the in-year growth in Home to School Transport into Children’s Services to continue the improvement journey across the Council from ‘good’ to ‘great’. This investment would allow the Council to embed data, system, service user, and process improvements, to be sustainable and efficient, enabling the Council to deliver the streamlined services which supported the Children’s Services reform programmes and positive outcomes for children and young people.

·       Invest £2.2m in Regeneration programme in Leader portfolio to accelerate investment in the Town Centres.

The Dedicated Schools Grant budget had been set with a deficit of £30.3m. Currently the forecast position was £0.2m above budget. There was an improved position on the DSG deficit reserve, following a review of the 2025/26 outturn undertaken with DfE advisors in June relating to Early Years funding. The opening balance on the DSG deficit reserve was now £42.8m with a forecast closing balance of £73.3m. It was assumed that 90% of this deficit would be funded from the High Needs Sustainability grant.

The forecast position on capital budgets was £191.0m, which broadly matched the current budget after reprofiling to reflect an updated and prudent view on the delivery of projects.

The budget included an approved savings programme of £128m over 3 years across General Fund and DSG, with £61.4m to be delivered in 2026/27. Delivery of savings for 2026/27 was currently below target due to challenges in Education and Children’s Services. Strong action was being taken to drive forward our successful savings programmes.

The report contained recommendations to update Fees & Charges which were set out in detail at Appendix 3. These related to minor amendments and clarifications on the Fees & Charges previously published in January 2026.

The report included updates to the budgets for Grants, which were set out in detail at Appendix 4. These related to variations in ring-fenced grants since the Budget was set in February 2026.

RESOLVED

        i.            That the report and the balanced revenue position be noted.

      ii.            That the forecast capital outturn position of £191.0m of investment in the Council’s priorities be noted.

    iii.            That the investment proposals as set out in paragraph 1.6 of the report be approved.

    iv.            That the changes to Fees and Charges in Appendix 3 be approved.

      v.            That the budget changes for Grants in Appendix 4 be approved.