Issue - meetings

This report sets out estimates for income and expenditure on services in 2025/26.

The Committee resolved (7 for, and 1 abstaining) to:

(1)          Recommend the 2025/26 service estimates for approval at the budget meeting of Full Council in February 2025.

The Committee received a report setting out estimates for income and expenditure on services in 2025/26.

The Committee considered the following matters:

a)            Meals at Home Service. In response to a question from a Member, the Head of Operational Services explained that whilst the Meals at Home service remained an economical service for those who wished to use it, the number of people using the service had decreased since the end of lockdown, hence why a reduction to the service’s income budget was now being recommended.

b)            Homelessness Budget. In response to a question from a Member, the Head of Housing and Community stated that homelessness remained a significant challenge for the Council and that the Housing service experienced an enormous demand on a daily basis. He explained that the Government were monitoring performance nationally, with respect to homelessness, and that the Council would seek to pursue any additional funding opportunities from Government where appropriate.

c)            Wellbeing Centre Services. In response to a question from a Member, the Head of Operational Services stated that there had been an increase in anti-social behaviour in the vicinity of the Wellbeing Centre since the end of lockdown, and it was suspected that this played a part in the reduction in the uptake of the Higher Needs services provided at the Centre. He explained that the Centre staff had formed a close relationship with local police who were working to address the issue. He explained that the Wellbeing Centre services were currently under review and that the Committee could expect to receive a report on the matter at a future meeting.

Following consideration, the Committee resolved (7 for, and 1 abstaining) to:

(1)          Recommend the 2025/26 service estimates for approval at the budget meeting of Full Council in February 2025.