Agenda, decisions and minutes

At this point Members are asked to declare any personal or prejudicial interests they may have in the business on the agenda.

The Executive Member was invited to declare at this point in the meeting any personal or prejudicial interests he might have in the business on the agenda.  None were declared.

To approve and sign the minutes of the Decision Session of the Executive Member for Corporate Services held on 15 December 2009.

RESOLVED:That the minutes of the meeting held on 15 December 2009 be approved and signed by the Executive Member as a correct record.

At this point in the meeting, members of the public who have registered their wish to speak at the meeting can do so.  The deadline for registering is Thursday 28 January 2010 at 5.00 pm.

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

This report is part of the consultation on the 2010/11 budget process.  The report provides details of proposed growth and savings within the Corporate Services area.  Full details of the budget will be considered by the Executive on 16 February 2010 and then Budget Council on 25 February 2010.  The report seeks the comments of the Executive Member on the proposals put forward.

 RESOLVED:(i)         That it be confirmed that the budget proposals are in line

                                    with the council’s priorities.

(ii)               That the report and annexes be referred to the Executive for consideration.

(iii)             That all written and verbal representations made to the Executive Member be taken into consideration when the Executive considers the final budget.

(iv)              That officers be thanked for the work which has been undertaken to produce the report, especially considering the current economic situation.

REASON:      As part of the consultation for the 2010/11 budget setting process.

The Executive Member received a report as part of the consultation on the 2010/11 budget process.  The report presented the 2010/11 budget proposals for Resources and included:

• The base revenue budget for 2010/11 (Annex 1) to show the existing budgets
• The cost of pay and price increases, increments and settlement of pay and grading appeals for the portfolio
• Proposals for budget service pressure costs and savings options for the portfolio area (Annexes 2 and 3)
• Fees and charges proposals (Annex 4)

Full details of the budget would be considered by the Executive on 16 February 2010 and then Budget Council on 25 February 2010.  The report sought the comments of the Executive Member on the proposals put forward.

The Executive Member stated that the budget for 2010/11 was being considered at a time of worldwide recession and at a time of great financial stringency for both national and local government.  The focus had to be on the council’s core functions, the statutory services, front line delivery and working to maintain excellent services.   Despite extra investment, savings must be made across the Council, both at a corporate and directorate level.  The report that had been presented sought to find savings within the revenue budget. 

The Executive Member thanked officers for their efforts in achieving a balanced budget.  He also thanked Unison for their involvement in the budget process. 

RESOLVED:(i)         That it be confirmed that the budget proposals are in line

                                    with the council’s priorities.

(ii)               That the report and annexes be referred to the Executive for consideration.

(iii)             That all written and verbal representations made to the Executive Member be taken into consideration when the Executive considers the final budget.

(iv)              That officers be thanked for the work which has been undertaken to produce the report, especially considering the current economic situation.

REASON:      As part of the consultation for the 2010/11 budget setting process.