Ceredigion’s budget “seems healthy at the moment” councillors were told last week, despite a predicted overspend of £300,000.

At Cabinet on Tuesday, 25 September, members heard that the council’s position was “better than it’s been for some time” although it was only early in their year.

Cabinet member for finance and procurement Cllr Gareth Lloyd said the budget would be closely monitored and councillors updated though the year.

Each department budget was reviewed and its performance included in a report to members and it states that “good progress against the savings target of £5.1 million has been achieved.”

To date, £3.9 million of savings have been made with progress against £400,000 going well. Additional work is required on making a further £800,000 of savings.

The report adds that the schools service anticipates an underspend of £70,000 while lifelong learning and culture faces an overspend of £120,000 despite allowing for £140,000 from earmarked reserves.

Anticipated to break even are finance and procurement, democratic services, people and organisation, economy and regeneration and customer contact.

Other overspending departments include adult services which faces £660,000 after utilising £30,000 from reserves; and highways and environmental with £470,000 overspending, offset with £180,000 from reserves.

Children services anticipates an underspend of £50,000, legal and governance an underspend of £60,000 and the leadership group will underspend by £470,000 due to transformation savings achieved, the report adds.

Council leader Ellen ap Gwynn said: “It’s much better than it was this time last year and we have to thank the strict financial management within the authority.”