Issue - meetings

To receive a report from the Director of Governance and Monitoring Officer presenting the final report and recommendations of the Budget and Medium-Term Financial Strategy Task and Finish Group, as agreed by the Corporate Scrutiny Committee at its meeting held on 19 January 2026.

Resolved (unanimously): That Executive endorses the report and recommendations of the Budget and Medium-Term Financial Strategy Task and Finish Group.

Reason: To contribute to the development of a structured and consistent approach to budget scrutiny.

The Director of Governance and Monitoring Officer submitted a report which presented the final report and recommendations of the Budget and Medium-Term Financial Strategy Task and Finish Group, as agreed by the Corporate Scrutiny Committee at its meeting held on 19 January 2026.

The following elected member and officer were in attendance for this item:

-       Councillor Anna Baxter, Chair of the Task and Finish Group

-       James Parker, Scrutiny Officer.

The key areas of discussion were:

·      Councillor Baxter thanked all members and officers involved with the task and finish group. It was a constructive working group and members had worked well together. The group particularly focussed on the importance of ensuring early and effective scrutiny and the need for clear financial information to be presented to members. The working group had also reviewed the need to develop the level of consultation with residents and stakeholders.

·      The Executive Member wished to place on record her thanks to the working group. Executive was already in the process of implementing some of the recommendations. It was noted that a task and finish group had been established, specifically focussing on adult social care and the financial challenges faced in relation to that area.

Resolved (unanimously): That Executive endorses the report and recommendations of the Budget and Medium-Term Financial Strategy Task and Finish Group.

Reason: To contribute to the development of a structured and consistent approach to budget scrutiny.