THURROCK Council is continuing to come under pressure to deliver services within its budget but says its books will balance by the end of the financial year reports the Local Democracy Reporter.
Third quarter figures for 2024/25 show an operating budget overspend of £991,000 against a budget of £172.398 million.
Children’s services are predicting an £49.1million spend against a £47.6million budget by the end of the financial year, Corporate services such as customer services and counter fraud measures are predicting a £17.124million spend against a budget of £15.379million.
Commissioners appointed to oversee Thurrock’s recovery from crippling debts caused by ill-judged investments, said there were signs of improvement. In a report to cabinet, they said: “The financial overspend at Thurrock has reduced since the Quarter 2 report, to an overspend of £0.991m. The Council has made good progress both in tacking the overspend and delivery of budgeted savings.
“Whilst there are only days left in the financial year, it is important that there is a continued focus. Any overspend will need to be met from reserves and will result in additional savings needing to be found in 2025/26.”
A council spokesman said funding would be found to reduce the projected overspend. He said: “The £991,000 figure relates to money overspent by services against the operating budget but this is reduced by additional funding and other savings, which means the projected total overspend at the end of Q3 was £157,000.
“This position will be finalised at the end of Q4, as will the use of any reserves to meet overspends. Further work is being undertaken to reduce costs in year, and the council is committed to, and confident that, it will end the year within budget.”
Sara Muldowney, councillor responsible for resources, said: “A great deal of good work has taken place this year and we have seen the forecast overspend reduced by over £1.7m from the Q2 position by the end of Q3.
“We are committed to further reducing costs, while protecting the services residents need the most, and we’re confident that at the end of the year we will be within budget, with no overspend at all.”
