At quarter 2 (July-September), the council was forecasting an overspend of £28.1 million. At period 7 (up to 31 October), the council is forecasting a reduced overspend of around £19.9 million.

Progress is being made across the council’s directorates to minimise the projected overspend. For example, families and wellbeing services (which account for children’s and adult services, public health, education and SEND), have brought down their collective overspend projection by £2.2 million. The council has also seen an improved position across corporate finance.

More broadly, the council has been taking a number of measures to reduce expenditure. This includes limiting spend unless essential, holding vacancies and conducting a council-wide voluntary redundancy scheme.

Cabinet member for finance, assets and investments, Cllr Denis Matthews, said: “A £19.9 million projected overspend is still very significant, but the latest Cabinet report demonstrates the progress we are making.

“An overspend reduction of £8.2 million is an important step. I’m grateful to officers across the council who are working tirelessly to not only deliver valuable services to residents despite demand increases, but also working to identify savings to help reduce our overspend.

“We will keep doing everything possible to reduce our overspend further. There will be some very difficult decisions ahead of us as we work to reduce our current £19.9 million projection, but we will keep working together to find solutions.”