ASSURANCES have been given that Bournemouth Council will balance the books this year – despite a projected £3.369million overspend.

The community care services department is currently on track to exceed its budget by a massive £2m, while children’s social care is set to overspend by £995,000.

Because the departments deal with vulnerable residents, both budgets are unpredictable and very difficult to control.

But Cllr John Beesley, acting leader of the council, told a meeting of Bournemouth’s cabinet: “I’m confident in terms of coming out with an overall balance at the end of the year, although much depends on the outcome of the community care services budget.”

The pressure on the community care budget is being put down to an increase in demand for services and an increase in complicated cases.

The council is now reviewing some of the more expensive care packages and challenging the Primary Care Trust over selected cases.

Spending on children’s social care has spiralled because of an increase in the number of children in care, from 217 in April to 251 in October.