Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

At this point in the meeting, the Executive Members are 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 he might have had in respect of business on the agenda. They confirmed they had none.

To approve the minutes of the Joint Budget Decision Session held on 14 January 2020.

Resolved:  That the minutes of the Joint Budget Decision Session and subsequent Executive Leader Decision Session held on 14 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 Members.  

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 5.00pm on Friday 8 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 two registrations to speak on agenda item 4 [Financial Strategy 2021/22 to 2025/26] at the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.

Cllr Webb challenged the proposed budget noting a number of concerns around the savings proposed and funding for a number of services. He welcomed the opportunity to work with the administration on the budget proposals.

Cllr Pearson explained how vital the library service was and welcomed the proposals to secure the libraries around the city, in particular the new permanent library for Haxby and Wigginton.

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 Member for Children, Young People and Education and the Executive Member for and Culture, Leisure and Communities for consideration by both Executive Members before finalisation of the overall Financial Strategy, to be presented to Executive on 11 February 2021.

Resolved: 

(i)      That the feedback from consultation for Children, Young People and Education and Culture, Leisure and Communities portfolios, as set out in Annex 3 to the report, be noted.

(ii)    That the following be agreed for inclusion within the overall Financial Strategy 2021/22 to 2025/26 to be presented to Executive on 11 February 2021 and Full Council on 25 February 2021:

a)      The 2021/22 revenue savings proposals for Children, Young People and Education and Culture, Leisure and Communities portfolios portfolios, as set out in Annex 1 to the report.

b)      The 2021/22 revenue growth proposals for Children, Young People and Education and Culture, Leisure and Communities portfolios, as set out in Annex 2 to the report.

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

Reason:     To ensure that stakeholders have the opportunity to feed into the budget process 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 Director of People reported that it had been a challenging time for the People Directorate, which had seen a rise in demand in service areas where demand was already high, namely in SEND and children’s social care (which was starting to plateau as more people accessed early help). She noted that officers were looking at different approaches to strengthen areas and to support people area. In relation to the Designated Schools Grant (DSG) she noted that a recovery plan for this would be examined due to the reduced offer from the government.

The Executive Members thanked officers for their work and speakers for their comments, noting the that early help would help families and recognising the varied role of the communities teams.

Resolved: 

(i)      That the feedback from consultation for Children, Young People and Education and Culture, Leisure and Communities portfolios, as set out in Annex 3 to the report, be noted.

(ii)    That the following be agreed for inclusion within the overall Financial Strategy 2021/22 to 2025/26 to be presented to Executive on 11 February 2021 and Full Council on 25 February 2021:

a)      The 2021/22 revenue savings proposals for Children, Young People and Education and Culture, Leisure and Communities portfolios portfolios, as set out in Annex 1 to the report.

b)      The 2021/22 revenue growth proposals for Children, Young People and Education and Culture, Leisure and Communities portfolios, as set out in Annex 2 to the report.

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

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