Issue - meetings

This report sets out draft budget proposals for 2017/18 and 2018/19.  Subject to the results of consultation it is envisaged that these would then form the basis of the budget to be agreed at the Full Council meeting of February 2017.

1.    Cabinet noted the overall financial position.

2.    Cabinet endorsed the savings previously agreed, as set out in Appendix One.

3.    Cabinet agreed to consult on new draft policy options, as summarised in Appendix two and detailed in Appendix Three.

4.    Cabinet agreed to consult on council tax increases of 3.99% in each of 2017/18 and 2018/19.

5.    Cabinet endorsed the technical assumptions underpinning the budget as set out throughout the report.

6.    Cabinet authorised the drawdown of further capital resources to support delivery of the temporary accommodation reform plan, as set out on paragraph 6.7.

Councillor Margaret McLennan, Deputy Leader, introduced the report. She stated that the report sets out draft budget proposals for 2017/18 and 2018/19.

Councillor McLennan reiterated that subject to the results of consultation it is envisaged that these would then form the basis of the budget to be agreed at the Full Council meeting of February 2017.

Councillor McLennan stated that the process following this cabinet meeting would be as follows:

-       These proposals, together with any changes made by cabinet, will form the basis of a consultation between November and January with local residents, businesses and other stakeholders;

-       The two scrutiny committees will review the budget proposals and report accordingly;

-       General purposes committee will review the calculation of the council tax base;

-       In December, Cabinet will receive a paper on the Collection fund surplus which is a technical report on the distribution of estimated surplus on collection of council tax and NDR; and

-       After consultation, a budget paper will be presented for Cabinet to recommend a final budget and council tax to the February 2017 Council meeting.

Councillor Roxanne Mashari, Cabinet Member for Employment, Skills, Regeneration and Growth, urged Cabinet Members and Senior Officers to review the equalities impact assessments on each proposed saving in order to avoid negative impact on any particular group.

Councillor Muhammed Butt, Leader of the Council, outlined the comprehensive communications and engagement plan to support the budget setting process.

RESOLVED:-

1.    Cabinet noted the overall financial position.

2.    Cabinet endorsed the savings previously agreed, as set out in Appendix One.

3.    Cabinet agreed to consult on new draft policy options, as summarised in Appendix two and detailed in Appendix Three.

4.    Cabinet agreed to consult on council tax increases of 3.99% in each of 2017/18 and 2018/19.

5.    Cabinet endorsed the technical assumptions underpinning the budget as set out throughout the report.

6.    Cabinet authorised the drawdown of further capital resources to support delivery of the temporary accommodation reform plan, as set out on paragraph 6.7.