Agenda item

This report presents the 2008/09 budget proposals for the Resources Directorate, including the Directorate Service Plans.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised to:

(i)         Note the budget proposals for savings and growth, the areas for consultation in the revenue budget and the capital proposals, as contained in the report and annexes, and refer them to the Executive for consideration, together with Member’s comments as indicated above.

(ii)        Note the proposals within the service plans in Annex 7 for monitoring of progress.

Decision of the Executive Member

RESOLVED:That the advice of the Advisory Panel be accepted and endorsed.

REASONS:(i) As part of the consultation for the 2008/09 budget setting process.

                        (ii) As part of the service planning process across the Council.

Members considered a report which presented the 2008/09 budget proposals for the Resources Directorate, including the Directorate Service Plans.

The report included:

·        the revenue budget for 2007/08 (Annex 1) to show the existing budgets

·        the budget adjusted and rolled forward from 2007/08 into 2008/09

·        the provisional allocation of pay and price increases for the portfolio

·        officer proposals for budget service pressure costs and savings options for the portfolio area (Annexes 2 and 3)

·        fees and charges proposals (Annex 4)

·        the existing approved capital programme (Annex 5)

·        options for new capital schemes (Annex 6)

·        Directorate Service Plans (Annex 7).

Members were asked for their comments or alternative suggestions on the proposals shown in Annexes 2, 3, 4 and 6.  They expressed concern at the proposal to delete a post within Internal Audit / Fraud (RESH 2 in Annex 3), particularly in view of its potential effect on the future CPA score in this area.

The Labour Group Members reserved their position on the budget proposals.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised to:

(i)         Note the budget proposals for savings and growth, the areas for consultation in the revenue budget and the capital proposals, as contained in the report and annexes, and refer them to the Executive for consideration, together with Member’s comments as indicated above.¹

(ii)        Note the proposals within the service plans in Annex 7 for monitoring of progress.

Decision of the Executive Member

RESOLVED: That the advice of the Advisory Panel be accepted and endorsed.

REASONS:    (i)         As part of the consultation for the 2008/09 budget setting process.

                        (ii)        As part of the service planning process across the Council.