Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council’s management of its finances has been given approval by an external auditor.
In line with other similar local authorities, the Council is facing significant pressure on its budget due to Government funding not matching the high level of inflation and because of an unprecedented demand for services, particularly in social care.
A meeting of the Borough Council recently approved its budget for 2023/2024, which included cost reduction measures of around £9.5m.
Reporting to the Council’s Governance Committee on the Council’s draft accounts, representatives of the company said the Council’s medium term financial plan recognised the risks and uncertainties facing local authority funding and its assumptions in planning for this were realistic.
The committee heard that Mazars was satisfied that savings plans were in place, that the Council had a good record of delivering on its plans in previous years and that management takes action to address audit matters in a timely and appropriate manner.
Cllr Glyn Nightingale, Cabinet member for Resources, said:
“We are pleased that Mazars has recognised all the skills and hard work which has gone into planning for the future in the most challenging of financial circumstances.
“The Council, along with others around the country, faces and unprecedented challenge in balancing our budget at a time of very high inflation and huge demand for our services.
“I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to the medium term financial plan.”