Issue - meetings

This report informs the Committee of the Council’s revenue budgets targets approved by the Strategy & Resources Committee.  The report seeks support for changes to services and any further guidance on the preparation of the Committee’s service estimates for 2016/17 and for the next 3 financial years

The Committee:

·         Noted the implications of the budget targets approved by the Strategy and Resources Committee;

·         Noted that as a result of revised figures tabled at the meeting which affected the bottom line in relation to the Council’s projected share of Council Tax Income, the savings option in relation to the Council Tax Support Scheme would need to be revisited;

·         Supported in principle the future savings options set out in paragraph 3.5 of the report for further work and inclusion in the Medium Term Financial Strategy;

·         Did not provided any further guidance on specific issues to be covered in the preparation of service estimates for 2016/17;

·         Endorsed the work plan as set out in paragraph 3.6 of the report

Note:  Councillor Omer Kokou-Tchri declared that section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 currently applied to him and that he would not therefore be voting on any question in relation to to this item

The Committee received and considered a report informing members of its revenue budget targets.  The report sought support for changes to services and any further guidance on the preparation of the Committee’s estimates for 2016/17 and for the next 3 financial years.

It was noted that as a result of the deferral of item 4 (Minute 38 refers), the Committee would not be able to confirm its support for the changes to services identified in paragraph 3.4 of the report in relation to the Council Tax Support Scheme and Hardship Fund.  In order to meet the Council's statutory obligation to have a Local Council Tax Scheme adopted by the Council by the 31 January 2016, as already agreed, a special meeting of this Committee would be held to consider the revised figures prior to the Council meeting on 8 December.  The Committee’s estimates would be amended according to the decision taken at the special meeting.

The report highlighted that the following saving options had been put forward for 2017/18 to assist in addressing the funding shortfall over the three year period 2017/18 to 2019/20:

·         Alternative payroll provision (£10,000)

·         Cap on discretionary rate relief for business rates (£22,000)

·         Shared ICT Service (£12,000)

In addition, it was noted (paragraph 3.6 of the report referred) that it was proposed to undertake work in the following areas:

·         5 -10 year Asset Management Plan

·         Plant, Equipment and Vehicle Replacement Schedule

·         Asset Disposal Programme

·         Investigating the possibility of reducing the number of councillors

·         Promoting digital interaction with customers e.g. online payments

·         Tree Maintenance Service Review

Accordingly, the Committee:

Noted the implications of the budget targets approved by the Strategy and Resources Committee;

Noted that as a result of revised figures tabled at the meeting which affected the bottom line in relation to the Council’s projected share of Council Tax Income, the savings option in relation to the Council Tax Support Scheme would need to be revisited;

Supported in principle the future savings options set out in paragraph 3.5 of the report for further work and inclusion in the Medium Term Financial Strategy;

Did not provide any further guidance on specific issues to be covered in the preparation of service estimates for 2016/17;

Endorsed the work plan as set out in paragraph 3.6 of the report.