Agenda item

O&S.60/17     

The Panel considered a report that presented the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy for 2018/19 onwards.

In his introduction, the Chairman advised that it was his intention for the Panel to focus on the Member survey responses to each of the Budget Option questions and the following motion was therefore PROPOSED and SECONDED:-

‘That in accordance with Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public and press be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item of business as the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1 and 3 of Schedule 12A to the Act is involved.’

Before the vote on this motion was taken, some Members did express their disappointment that 12 Members had not taken the time to complete what was such a user friendly survey on such an important subject matter.

When put to the vote, this motion was declared CARRIED.

The Panel proceeded to consider the results of each of the Budget Option questions and drew the following conclusions:

-         Question 1: progress this item to the next stage of the draft budget setting process;

-         Question 2: progress this item to the next stage of the draft budget setting process;

-         Question 3: progress this item to the next stage of the draft budget setting process;

-         Question 4: since aligned to Question 3, progress this item to the next stage of the draft budget setting process;

-         Question 5: progress this item to the next stage of the draft budget setting process;

-         Question 6: progress this item to the next stage of the draft budget setting process;

-         Question 7: remove from the draft budget setting process at the moment.  In so doing, the Panel recognised that, depending upon the outcome of meetings in the upcoming weeks, it may then be appropriate to reinstate to the process;

-         Question 8: progress this item to the next stage of the draft budget setting process;

-         Question 9: progress this item to the next stage of the draft budget setting process;

-         Question 10: progress this item to the next stage of the draft budget setting process, whilst acknowledging that a great deal more work was required;

-         Question 11: progress this item to the next stage of the draft budget setting process;

-         Question 12: progress this item to the next stage of the draft budget setting process and re-name the title to state ‘review of’ rather than ‘cease offering’;

-         Question 13: remove from the draft budget setting process;

-         Question 14: progress this item to the next stage of the draft budget setting process;

-         Question 15: remove from the draft budget setting process, whilst acknowledging that there may be alternative methods of delivering the service and the close linkages to Question 18;

-         Question 16: progress this item to the next stage of the draft budget setting process, whilst acknowledging that a great deal more work was required;

-         Question 17: remove from the draft budget setting process;

-         Question 18: progress this item to the next stage of the draft budget setting process, whilst noting the close linkages with Question 15;

-         Question 19: remove from the draft budget setting process at the moment.  In so doing, the Panel recognised that, depending upon the outcome of meetings in the upcoming weeks, it may then be appropriate to reinstate to the process;

-         Question 20: progress this item to the next stage of the draft budget setting process;

-         Question 21: progress this item to the next stage of the draft budget setting process, whilst requesting that the wording of the heading be revisited;

-         Question 22: progress this item to the next stage of the draft budget setting process;

-         Question 23: remove from the draft budget setting process;

-         Question 24: remove from the draft budget setting process;

-         Question 25: progress this item to the next stage of the draft budget setting process;

-         Question 26: progress this item to the next stage of the draft budget setting process;

-         Question 27: progress this item to the next stage of the draft budget setting process and re-name the title to state ‘reduce’ rather than ‘cease offering and remove reference to a financial sum;’

-         Question 28: remove from the draft budget setting process;

-         Question 29: remove from the draft budget setting process;

-         Question 30: since the Service had already ceased, this question to be removed;

-         Question 31: progress this item to the next stage of the draft budget setting process;

-         Question 32: progress this item to the next stage of the draft budget setting process;

-         Question 33: progress this item to the next stage of the draft budget setting process, whilst acknowledging that a great deal more work was required;

-         Question 34: progress this item to the next stage of the draft budget setting process;

-         Question 35: progress this item to the next stage of the draft budget setting process.  In so doing, the Panel requested that further information was made available to Members before a final decision was made;

-         Question 36: remove from the draft budget setting process;

-         Question 37: progress this item to the next stage of the draft budget setting process;

-         Question 38: remove from the draft budget setting process at the moment.  In so doing, the Panel recognised that, depending upon the outcome of meetings in the upcoming weeks, it may then be appropriate to reinstate to the process;

-         Question 39: following the response to Question 38, not applicable at this time;

-         Question 40: progress this item to the next stage of the draft budget setting process; and

-         Question 41: progress this item to the next stage of the draft budget setting process.

It was then:

RESOLVED

That the press and public be re-admitted to the meeting.

In discussion on the report and the remaining appendices, particular reference was made to:-

(a)    the savings from re-procurement of contracts.  Officers confirmed that the £695,000 savings in 2017/18 related to the Leisure Contract;

(b)    salaries – provision for pay award at 1%.  Since indications were that the next pay award would be higher than 1%, a Member was of the view that this budget pressure was unrealistic as currently shown.  In response, the Leader advised that this matter was currently subject to national negotiations, but it would continue to be very closely monitored;

(c)    the Sherford project team.  A Member queried the ongoing need to retain the £45,000 budget pressure when considering that central government had provided additional funding to support the delivery team.  In response, the Section 151 Officer gave a commitment to provide the interested Member with additional information outside of this meeting;

(d)    the Invest to Earn agenda.  In the event of having any further ideas to generate additional income or savings, Members were encouraged to provide these to the Group Manager – Business Development as soon as was practically possible.  In the event of a number of ideas coming forward, Members recognised that work on these would have to be prioritised accordingly.

It was then:

RESOLVED

That the Panel has considered the Medium Term Financial Strategy 2018/19 Onwards and specifically the contents of the Member Survey on the Budget Options and has made recommendations to the Executive in the detailed minutes (as recorded above).