Calderdale Council Leader, Cllr Tim Swift says that the Council’s final accounts demonstrate a continued commitment to good financial management and financial control.
A report about the Council’s 2016/17 final accounts, which will be discussed by Cabinet on Monday 19 June 2017, shows that the Council has balanced its budget and maintained a level of balances required to support the budget over the next three years.
The report shows that every Council directorate delivered services within budget during the last financial year.
A minimum level of £5 million in balances is recommended to cover unforeseen costs, which in the past has included funding made available to recover from flooding.
The Council’s balances are now nearly £10 million and will be carried forward into 2017/18. At Budget Council in February 2017 Councillors approved the use of £4.4 million from these balances to reduce the level of Council Tax from 2017/18 to 2019/20.
Cllr Tim Swift, Leader of Calderdale Council said:
“Our positive final accounts are testament to the Council’s good financial management, regular budget monitoring and cost control. This means that we are well prepared for any unexpected costs and flexible enough to fund additional areas if required.
“This is a strong position to be in, especially when central government funding is reducing each year and we have had to recover from unprecedented flooding.
“We have made significant savings; for example, through our new waste collection and disposal contracts. However, we are still under pressure to make further major cost savings, and this continues to be a priority.”
The Cabinet meeting will take place at 6pm on Monday 19 June 2017 at Halifax Town Hall.