Issue - meetings

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.