Issue - meetings

This report provides an update to the Financial Strategy given the continued and rapid changes to the Local Government funding. An outline plan for the 2013/14 and 2014-15 budget process has also been provided.

RESOLVED:          That Cabinet agrees to: 

  i)           The refreshed Financial Strategy and the outline budget planning process for 2013-14 and 2014-15;

ii)            Approve the undertaking of formal consultation including public consultation in line with Best Value Statutory Guidance with regard to implementing a new scheme to reflect the changes to council tax support (as set out in Paragraph 8 vi and Annex A of the report) and that the final scheme details for consultation are agreed with the Cabinet Member for Corporate Services.

REASON:            i)               To ensure that Council meets future financial challenges and produces a sound, prudent budget for 2013-14 and 2014-15.

ii)              To ensure that the council complies with the Government guidance as set out in the DCLG document Localising Support for Council Tax – A statement of intent and to ensure that all stakeholders including customers of the scheme are provided with the opportunity to provide feedback.

Members considered a report which provided an update to the Financial Strategy given the rapid changes to Local Government Funding.

Key Priorities to support the financial strategy had been taken from the Council Plan however, at a time of difficult financial challenge, long term approaches were required to ensure a sustainable local funding base and changes to how services were delivered.

Funding issues and information on investment and cost pressures were detailed in the report. Efficiencies of £21m had already been delivered in 2011/12 however there still remained many areas where developments and improvements in the framework could be made.

The medium term strategy which included the financial plan and the latest growth requirements for 2013/14 and 2014/15 were reported with the total amount of savings agreed in principle for 2013/14 of £8.78m with a breakdown by directorate at Table 3 of the report.

As the overall budget process for 2012-13 had worked well this had enabled the authority to be more strategic. It was intended to continue this with final proposals for a new 2 year budget being presented to Council in February 2013.

Members confirmed that, although substantial savings had already been made, it would be more difficult in future years. Officer reports would be required early in the year on how well proposed savings were being achieved to enable other measures to be taken, if required.

Following further lengthy discussions it was

RESOLVED:          That Cabinet agrees to: 

  i)           The refreshed Financial Strategy and the outline budget planning process for 2013-14 and 2014-15; ^1.

ii)            Approve the undertaking of formal consultation including public consultation in line with Best Value Statutory Guidance with regard to implementing a new scheme to reflect the changes to council tax support (as set out in Paragraph 8 vi and Annex A of the report) and that the final scheme details for consultation are agreed with the Cabinet Member for Corporate Services.^2.

REASON:            i)               To ensure that Council meets future financial challenges and produces a sound, prudent budget for 2013-14 and 2014-15.

ii)              To ensure that the council complies with the Government guidance as set out in the DCLG document Localising Support for Council Tax – A statement of intent and to ensure that all stakeholders including customers of the scheme are provided with the opportunity to provide feedback.