Issue - meetings

(a)      Note the cash position that has been achieved for the General Fund and HRA to the end of Quarter 3 as detailed in Appendix 1;

(b)      Note the Common Good financial performance to the end of Quarter 3 as detailed in Appendix 3;

(c)      Note that the General Fund full year forecast position remains on track to achieve a full year outturn of ‘on budget’ although there are a range of financial risks that exist for the financial year. Continuing action and controls, as outlined in Appendix 2 will remain in place for the remainder of the financial year;

(d)      Approve additional recurring funding in 2025/26 of £634K for the Integrated Joint Board of Aberdeen City Council and NHS Grampian (IJB) in respect of additional funding provided by Scottish Government for the agreed pay settlement, the distribution of funding to Councils having been confirmed in the latest Finance Circular;

(e)      Note that the Council maintains financial resilience with the resources available on the Council Balance Sheet, the General Fund Reserves in particular. As at 31 March 2025 the uncommitted value of those reserves was £12m, the minimum that the Council Reserves Statement recommends and as approved by the Council;

(f)       Note that the HRA full year forecast position, as detailed in Appendix 2, is slightly under budget, but continues to face challenging cost pressures as outlined in Appendix 2 and the HRA Budget Report 2026/27;

(g)      Note that capital expenditure continues to be low at the end of Quarter 3, however forecasts are that additional expenditure and progress will be recognised in the final quarter; and

(h)      that the Chief Officer – Finance circulate to the members, further information on the Aberdeen Sport Village Ltd financial deficit referred to in the appendix to the report.

The Committee had before it a report by the Executive Director for Corporate Services which provided the full year actual financial position of the Council as at Quarter 3 (31 December 2025) and the full year forecast position for the financial year 2025/26, including:-

• General Fund and Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and capital accounts and associated Balance Sheet; and
• Common Good Revenue Account and Balance Sheet.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)      note the cash position that has been achieved for the General Fund and HRA to the end of Quarter 3 as detailed in Appendix 1;

(b)      note the Common Good financial performance to the end of Quarter 3 as detailed in Appendix 3;

(c)      note that the General Fund full year forecast position remains on track to achieve a full year outturn of ‘on budget’ although there are a range of financial risks that exist for the financial year. Continuing action and controls, as outlined in Appendix 2 will remain in place for the remainder of the financial year;

(d)      approve additional recurring funding in 2025/26 of £634K for the Integrated Joint Board of Aberdeen City Council and NHS Grampian (IJB) in respect of additional funding provided by Scottish Government for the agreed pay settlement, the distribution of funding to Councils having been confirmed in the latest Finance Circular;

(e)      note that the Council maintains financial resilience with the resources available on the Council Balance Sheet, the General Fund Reserves in particular. As at 31 March 2025 the uncommitted value of those reserves was £12m, the minimum that the Council Reserves Statement recommends and as approved by the Council;

(f)       note that the HRA full year forecast position, as detailed in Appendix 2, is slightly under budget, but continues to face challenging cost pressures as outlined in Appendix 2 and the HRA Budget Report 2026/27; and

(g)      note that capital expenditure continues to be low at the end of Quarter 3, however forecasts are that additional expenditure and progress will be recognised in the final quarter.

The Convener moved. Seconded by Councillor Greig:-

that the Committee approve the recommendations contained within the report.

Councillor Malik, moved as an amendment, seconded by Councillor Watson:-

that the Committee:-

(1)    note the report;

(2)    agree the greatest uncertainty for the Council is the financial risk posed to the General Fund from the Aberdeen City IJB; and

(3)    agree in respect of the HRA budget, the loss of income arising from voids continues to be an unnecessary cost pressure, noting the SNP Convener of the  Communities, Housing and Public Protection Committee position on voids is the main reason the HRA is under severe pressure resulting in unacceptably high rents meaning families receiving “cost of living support” from UK Labour are seeing those benefits eroded by high council tax and high rents courtesy of the SNP.

On a division, there voted:- for the motion (5) – the Convener and Councillors Allard, Cooke, Greig and Radley; for the amendment (4) – Councillors  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10