Issue - meetings
Budget 2016-17 to 2018-19
Meeting: 14/12/2015 - Cabinet (Item 4)
4 Budget Proposals to 2017/18 and medium term outlook PDF 530 KB
This report sets out Budget Proposals for 2017/18 and the medium term outlook.
Additional documents:
- budget-app1-agreed-savings, item 4 PDF 203 KB
- budget-app2-summary-savings, item 4 PDF 173 KB
- budget-app-3.1-organisational-efficiency, item 4 PDF 323 KB
- budget-app 3.2-civic-enterprise, item 4 PDF 426 KB
- budget-app3.3-making-our-money-go-further, item 4 PDF 279 KB
Decision:
(i) To note the budget proposals previously agreed for 2016/17 and 2017/18, as set out in Appendix One;
(ii) To confirm that the proposals referred to in Appendix One, having already been extensively consulted upon, should remain part of the council's budget and business plans;
(iii) To note the impact of SR15 on the overall financial position, as set out in section four of this report, and to note the remaining uncertainties, including that the local government finance settlement is not expected to be released until week commencing 14 December;
(iv) To note the new budget and business plan proposals, as set out in section five, with a summary in Appendix Two and detailed proposals in Appendix Three;
(v) To agree that the proposals referred to in (iv) should be consulted upon, in line with the timetable set out in section seven, and referred back to Cabinet for its February 2016 meeting for decision;
(vi) To agree the schools' budget set out in section eight of this report;
(vii) To agree the approach to developing an investment strategy set out in section six.
Minutes:
The Deputy Leader, Councillor Pavey , introduced the report from the Chief Finance Officer which detailed proposals to balance the 2016/17 budget. The report also brought forward initial options for 2017/18 and 2018/19, which, if adopted, would leave the council close to balancing its 2017/18 budget as well as making inroads into the remaining gap for 2018/19. Councillor Pavey stated that the aim was to start a public conversation with much of the information in the public domain and referred to the potential impact of central government budget cuts as being life changing for residents, particularly cuts to public health and less support to mental health. He welcomed the retention of business rates by local authorities but felt that West End business rates should be shared nationally. Front line services would continue to be protected as would the vulnerable and most in need and Councillor Pavey outlined the consultation arrangements assuring that the council was ready to listen.
Cabinet members spoke in turn concerning their respective service areas. Reference was made to the recent government u-turn over reduced tax credits which had recently been announced however it was thought that this only amounted to a delay and the council would work closely with the Department of Work and Pensions WP to secure jobs. The Cabinet were reminded of the need for affordable housing and of the adverse impact of Pay to Stay policies. Attention was drawn to the impact of local policing reductions, cuts to libraries, arts and the loss of the 2012 Olympics legacy. On health and social care, concern was expressed that prevention was not a priority with cuts to public health and the impending Winter crisis. Regarding Children and Young People, there were concerns over the sources of funding in the future and consideration was being given to realigning children’s services to increase efficiency.
Councillor Butt (Leader of the Council) referred to the £80m budget reduction the council had experienced since 2009/10 and how the council had had to find new ways of working to continue service provision. Through civic enterprise new savings were anticipated by generating better returns on existing assets with the aim of being self financing so the council could continue to meet needs.
RESOLVED:
(i) to note the budget proposals previously agreed for 2016/17 and 2017/18, as set out in Appendix One of the report from the Chief Finance Officer;
(ii) to confirm that the proposals referred to in Appendix One, having already been extensively consulted upon, should remain part of the council's budget and business plans;
(iii) to note the impact of Spending Review SR15 on the overall financial position, as set out in section four of the report, and to note the remaining uncertainties, including that the local government finance settlement was not expected to be released until week commencing 14 December;
(iv) to note the new budget and business plan proposals, as set out in section five, with a summary in Appendix Two and detailed proposals in Appendix ... view the full minutes text for item 4