Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

At this point in the meeting, the Executive Leader is asked to declare:

·        any personal interests not included on the Register of Interests;

·        any prejudicial interests;

·        any disclosable pecuniary interests

which they may have in respect of business on this agenda.

The Executive Members were asked to declare, at this point in the meeting, any personal interests not included on the Register of Interests, or any prejudicial or disclosable pecuniary interests that they might have had in respect of business on the agenda.  None were declared.

To approve the minutes of the Joint Budget Decision Session and the Executive Leader Decision Session held on 15 January 2020.

Resolved:  That the minutes of the Joint Budget Decision Session and subsequent Executive Leader Decision Session held on 15 January 2020 be approved as a correct record in each case, to be signed by the appropriate Executive Member/s at a later date.

At this point in the meeting members of the public who have registered to speak can do so. Members of the public may speak on agenda items or on matters within the remit of the Executive Leader / Executive Member.

Please note that our registration deadlines have changed to 2 working days before the meeting, in order to facilitate the management of public participation at remote meetings. The deadline for registering at this meeting is Monday, 11 January 2021.

To register to speak please visitwww.york.gov.uk/AttendCouncilMeetings to fill in an online registration form.  If you have any questions about the registration form or the meeting please contact Democratic Services.  Contact details are at the foot of this agenda. 

Webcasting of Remote Public Meetings

Please note that, subject to available resources, this remote public meeting will be webcast including any registered public speakers who have given their permission. The remote public meeting can be viewed live and on demand at www.york.gov.uk/webcasts.

During coronavirus, we've made some changes to how we're running council meetings. See our coronavirus updates (www.york.gov.uk/COVIDDemocracy) for more information on meetings and decisions.

It was reported that there had been no registrations to speak at the session under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.

This report provides background information for the council’s overall Financial Strategy and presents the savings proposals and growth assumptions for the portfolios of the Executive Leader and the Executive Member for Finance and Performance, for consideration by the Leader and Executive Member before finalisation of the overall Financial Strategy, to be presented to Executive on 11 February 2021.

Resolved:  (i) That the feedback from consultation to date, as set out in Annex 3 to the report, be noted.

(ii)               That Option 1 be approved and the following be retained for inclusion in the overall budget

·        The 2021/22 revenue savings proposals set out in Annex 1;

·        The 2021/22 revenue growth proposals set out in Annex 2; and

·        The new schemes for inclusion in the 2021/22 to 2025/26 Capital Programme, as set out in Annex 4.

Reason:     To confirm that stakeholders have had the opportunity to feed into the budget process at this stage in advance of the finalisation of the Financial Strategy 2021/22 to 2025/26.

The Executive Members considered a report which set out the draft savings proposals, growth assumptions and capital schemes relating to their portfolios, providing an opportunity to receive feedback in advance of the presentation of the overall Financial Strategy to Executive on 11 February 2021.

The report outlined the national and local context of the overall strategy, highlighting the unprecedented financial challenges resulting from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, which had generated an in-year financial pressure of £15m for the council.  Revenue savings of £7.9m were required in 2021/22.  Savings proposals for the two relevant portfolio areas were set out in Annex 1 to the report, with growth proposals in Annex 2 and capital schemes in Annex 4.  Feedback received to date on the public consultation on those proposals was attached at Annex 3.  It was noted that the budget consultation would continue until 31 January.

The Executive Members thanked officers for their work on the budget over Christmas, noting that increased savings in their portfolio areas would help fund the additional support in the budget for mental health services, businesses and people on low incomes.

Resolved:  (i) That the feedback from consultation to date, as set out in Annex 3 to the report, be noted.

                   (ii)      That Option 1 be approved and the following be retained for inclusion in the overall budget

·        The 2021/22 revenue savings proposals set out in Annex 1;

·        The 2021/22 revenue growth proposals set out in Annex 2; and

·        The new schemes for inclusion in the 2021/22 to 2025/26 Capital Programme, as set out in Annex 4.

Reason:     To confirm that stakeholders have had the opportunity to feed into the budget process at this stage in advance of the finalisation of the Financial Strategy 2021/22 to 2025/26.