Decisions

Following consideration, it was resolved that the Committee:

(1)          approved a contribution of up to £10,000, funded from the Corporate Projects Reserve towards a joint Surrey Borough and Districts Councils fund to investigate future local government options which could include new ways of working post-pandemic, proposals for shared service delivery at Borough and District level and enhanced two tier working.

Following consideration, it was resolved that the Committee:

1.    Noted the recommendations of Financial Policy Panel held on 08 September 2020.

2.    Agreed the following overall budget targets for 2021/22:-

     i.        That estimates be prepared including the delivery of savings already identified in the Financial Plan for 2021/22 totalling £336,000.

    ii.        That estimates include options to reduce organisational costs by £1,290,000 subject to government grant announcement, in order to minimise the use of working balances and maintain a minimum working balance of £2.5 million in accordance with the medium term financial strategy.

  iii.        That at least £210,000 additional revenue is generated from an increase in discretionary fees and charges;

  iv.        That a provision for pay award is made of £408,000 that would allow for a 2% cost of living increase;

    v.        That a £950,000 contingency is provided for within the 2021/22 budget to mitigate the potential impact of Covid-19 on the Council’s finances in 2021/22.

  vi.        That officers are tasked in delivering a list of costed options that can be implemented to address any budget shortfall for 2021/22.

3.    Agreed the budget reporting timetable as set out in section 10 of the report to Financial Policy Panel (Appendix 2).

4.    Agreed that 2020/21’s projected deficit be funded as set-out at paragraph 6.7 of the report to Financial Policy Panel (Appendix 2).

The following declaration was made in relation to an item on the agenda:

Local Government Structure in Surrey

Councillor Hannah Dalton, Other Interest: Councillor Hannah Dalton declared that due to her involvement with the RASSU campaign, she would not participate in the debate on this item and would not vote upon it..

No questions were asked or had been submitted by members of the public.

Following consideration, it was resolved that the Committee:

(1)      Approved the working draft Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Framework.

(2)      Agreed that the three themes could go out to public consultation. 

Following consideration, it was resolved that the Committee:

(1)      Approved the Communications & Engagement Strategy and Action Plan.

Following consideration, it was resolved that the Committee:

(1)      Approved the Statement of Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2020;

(2)      Agreed the Annual Governance Statement included within the Statement of Accounts;

(3)      Received the Audit Findings for 2019/20;

(4)      Agreed the management action in response to the audit recommendations detailed at Appendix A of the Audit Findings report;

(5)      Agreed that the Chairman or Vice Chairman of Strategy and Resources Committee and the Chief Finance Officer sign the Letter of Representation on behalf of the Council;

(6)      Delegated any further amendments to the 2019/20 Statement of Accounts to the Chief Finance Officer in consultation with the Chairman or Vice Chairman of Strategy and Resources Committee.