BLAENAU Gwent council overspent on big projects and one-off costs by more than £4.6 million between April and December last year.

A report to the authority's executive committee on Wednesday revealed £4.4 million of this was cash overspent on The Works - the borough's flagship regeneration project to transform Ebbw Vale's former steelworks site with a three-16 school, Learning Zone sixth form centre, leisure centre and community facilities.

Executive members heard that by December 31 last year, the council's capital budget - the money it spends on big projects and one-off costs - for 2011/2012 was £4,620,985 over budget.

Corporate accountant Joanne Stent said in her report - presented to councillors by executive member for resources Councillor John Taylor - that councillors and directors responsible for overspent budgets need to confirm additional funding as a "matter of urgency... to address this significant risk".

There were overspends in the council departments including corporate governance, housing, education, and leisure.

But the biggest amount by far was the £4,416,077 overspent on the budget for The Works site.

This included a £621,237 overspend of the refurbishment of the General Offices, a £1.9 million extra on the infrastructure at the old cold mill, and £190,121 overspend on the refurbishment of Steelworks Road.

A spokeswoman for Blaenau Gwent council said it was in the final stages of agreeing funding packages for various projects at The Works with the Welsh Government. Ms Stent's report said the council anticipated an additional grant of £4.461,767 from the Welsh Government, but discussions were still ongoing.

Executive members approved her recommendation to continue discussions with Cardiff Bay to confirm outstanding funding approvals for The Works as soon as possible, and where additional funding is expected budget holders should confirm these payments before March 31.

If additional cash is not expected, those responsible should to resolve the problem as soon as possible.

The executive also heard that the authority's 2011/2012 revenue budget - cash used to fund day-to-day services - had been overspent by £659,693 by December 2011.

The executive approved proposals for budgets holders to draw up action plans to make sure overspends are addressed over the rest of this financial year.