Agenda item

To receive a report from the Deputy Chief Executive (S151) reviewing the revised draft budget changes identified and to discuss further changes required in order for the Council to move towards a balanced budget for 2022/23.

The Group had before it a report * from the Deputy Chief Executive (S151) reviewing the revised draft budget changes identified and discussing further changes required in order for the Council to move towards a balanced budget for 2022/23.

The Cabinet Member for Finance stated that there had been a £1.4m budget gap which had now reduced to £947k. He outlined the process the revised budget would take allowing all Members of Council the opportunity to participate in its development before finally needing Council approval at the end of February.

The Corporate Manager for Financial Services stated that the report attached to the agenda had been written before Christmas and a updated position needed to be relayed.

In order to address the current budget gap of £947k he outlined the following options to balance:

PDG Saving Target                                                              -500

Release Earmarked Reserves                                           -200

Further savings / Income required                                    -247

Having looked at the income and expenditure of each PDG area the savings needing to be identified by this Group were circa £15,200 and/or above.

A number of suggested areas for discussion had been identified on the update sheet to aid this process and to provide officers with a steer as to the work needed to identify savings and possible increases in income going forwards.

Discussion took place regarding:

·         How the Council could realistically reduce B&B costs whilst having a statutory obligation regarding Homelessness.

·         The draft budget deficit position and the need for more detail.

·         The complexities involved in trying to create a draft budget with so much uncertainty. Carefully educated forecasting had been undertaken during the preparation of the draft budget.

·         Investment in IT systems and the move to a greener fleet as soon and as realistically possible.

·         The difficulties presented to Members in trying to recommend savings when indicative figures hadn’t been provided. However, it was explained that precise figures were not necessary just an indication or steer from Members as to the areas that could be looked at to aid the financial position of the Council. Having a steer would enable officers to go away and undertake some modelling work in line with Members wishes.

·         A lack of appetite for out sourcing services at the current time.

RECOMMENDED to the Cabinet that the Council undertake a formal marketing campaign on the Piper Alarm System within the Private Sector, in particular in areas where there were large numbers of retired electors but also to notify all tenants of the facility as well.

(Proposed by Cllr C J Eginton and seconded by Cllr R J Dolley)

Reason for the decision:

In order to comply with the requirement to set a balanced budget, management must ensure that the proposed savings are robust and achievable. We must also ensure that the assumptions we have used are realistic and prudent. Failure to set a robust deliverable budget puts the Council at risk of not being able to meet its commitments and casts doubt on its “going concern” and VFM status.

Notes:            (i) * Report previously circulated; copy attached to the signed minutes.

(ii) Cllr S J Clist abstained from voting and requested that this be recorded.