Issue - meetings

Members considered a report which provided an overview of the proposed 2012/14 budget strategy, highlighting the key issues in relation to the Council’s Medium Term Financial Forecast (MTFF).

The proposed approach reflected a proven methodology for ensuring the development and approval of a robust budget within the statutory timeline.  It also introduced a two-year budget period to allow for longer term decision making.  The outline plan, set out in Annex 1 to the report, showed how officer proposals to manage the Council’s overall financial position would feed into meetings with Cabinet Members in the lead up to Budget Council in February 2012, alongside budget consultation commencing in September 2011.

A detailed review had indicated that the strategy needed to consider proposals to achieve approximately £20m savings over the two year budget period - £13m in 2012/13 and £8m in 2013/14.  A major consultation exercise on the budget process would be undertaken this year through the Fairness Commission (replacing the Citizen Survey), which would report to Cabinet in November.  Other forms of consultation would continue as in previous years.  It was noted that the process would need to take account of the Government’s recent announcement of its proposals to localise business rates.

RESOLVED: (i)         That the financial position outlined in the report be noted.

                        (ii)        That the proposed budget timetable set out in Annex 1, and the plans to commence budget consultation in September, be agreed. ¹

REASON:      To ensure the development and approval of a robust budget within the statutory timeline.