There is a risk, due to the national economic climate, action taken in response to Local Government Reorganisation and the forthcoming review of local government finance, that the Council is unable to balance its budget, without impacting significantly on service delivery and performance. The pressures that MVDC face are to a large extent shared by our contractors. This is in the context of a medium term future which may well include:
– A significant loss of government funding as a result of a review of local government finance (Fair funding review and Business rates retention reset)
-The re-organisation of councils in Surrey into two new Unitary Councils, there will be significant implementation costs associated with the reorganisation that will need to be shared between the predecessor authorities prior to vesting day
– Material costs of refurbishment of some Council assets
– Re-tendering/mobilisation of a number of Council services which were last re-let when market conditions were very favourable to the Council
– Rising demand for services, such as homelessness
Please also see Risk C11 on Asset Redevelopment and Regeneration
Inherent risk level (no controls)
Probability: 4
Impact: 5
Risk score: 20 (red)
Controls in place at MVDC
– Maintaining robust budget monitoring and, if appropriate, corrective action to ensure spending is in line with the Budget
– Robust re-procurement procedures
– Contract management arrangements in place and IA actions being addressed (see separate risk)
– Transformation savings plan in place, with proactive monitoring and reporting of savings realisation to the Strategic Leadership Team and as part of the regular Business and Budget monitoring reports to Cabinet
– Transformation programme developed for 2025/26 onwards with a variety of projects and actions identified to achieve the majority of savings required in the MTFP. A contingency plan exists of other options that could be implemented if transformation savings are underachieved.
– Long Term Financial Strategy and Medium Term Financial Plan in place
– Work with other Surrey local authorities and other local authority representative bodies to lobby Central Government to
address local government financial resilience
-Zero based budget review being undertaken to build the budget for 2026/27
-MVDC jointly submitted a proposal for LGR in Surrey with SCC and Elmbridge BC which shows substantial savings could be achieved from 2027/28 onwards
Residual risk level (after existing controls)
Probability: 2
Impact: 4
Risk score: 8 (amber)
Movement of residual risk since last review
None
Target risk level
Probability: 3
Impact: 2
Risk score: 6 (green)
Risk owner – Member
Cabinet Member (Finance)
Risk owner – Officer
EHoS – Resources