FINANCIAL reports at City of York Council have revealed a series of budget fears in the city, but shows the money worries are not as bad as previous years.

The Quarter Two financial monitor report, published this week, shows that the "financial pressures" - or potential overspends - are now projected to be £1.2 million at the end of this financial year.

The figures are an improvement on the last quarter's report, which put the projections at £1.9 million; and on this time last year when they were £1.3 million.

But, the details the report show the problems thrown up by legal wrangles over Coppergate, and teething problems with new "pay on exit" parking in Marygate.

Over Coppergate, the council's coffers are £100,000 down since the beginning of this financial year in April, because the private car ban for the bus lane on Coppergate has not been enforced.

At the same time, parking income for the city up to September 30 this year was £91,000 down, a reduction of just over three percent - and the biggest hit came at Marygate car park where technical faults with the new pay on exit machines has reduced the income by 15 percent.

However, more serious financial worries are being raised by adult social care bosses because of funding cuts that could be no the way from the NHS.

The Better Care Fund (BCF) is a joint £11 million budget that sees both the council and Vale of York's NHS commissioners (the CCG) put money in to improve health and social care services.

But the papers show that with budget problems at the health service the CCG is still considering cutting a chunk of its contribution to the BCF, something council health boss Carol Runciman has warned could create serious problems.

Cllr Runciman said: "Negotiations are still ongoing with the CCG. However, as it stands York faces the prospect of an in-year cut of around £3 million. This could have a hugely damaging impact on the care services provided to vulnerable and elderly residents across the city.

She added: "The Better Care Fund underpins crucial work to help residents stay in their homes for longer and reduce dependency on hospitals and care homes. Projects supported include home care services, contracts to provide tele-care and reablement services, and work with carers in York.

"The council does not have the money to fill the funding gap, and we have outlined our opposition to the CCG’s plans at every stage since they announced their intentions in September. This will continue in the coming weeks."