Cabinet considered a report from the Budget 2016/17 Task and Finish Group on the findings and key emerging issues identified through their work.

RESOLVED:

That the recommendations from the Budget 2016/17 Task and Finish Group be supported, as follows:

A.   The Council should continue to actively lobby the appropriate individuals and organisations about the financial situation it finds itself in; individually and collectively with other local authorities.

B.   The Scrutiny Work Programme should have the Financial Strategy as a main focus, taking account of the work being done to develop opportunities and proposals to change the way that services are delivered. Scrutiny wish to be involved in the budget setting process at an earlier stage.

C.   More information on the impact/implications of proposed savings should be included in future years budget proposals, and as the plans for areas set out in the Financial Strategy are refined and more defined.

D.   Cabinet are asked to highlight the risks and impacts of proposed changes to achieve the Budget 2016/17, to be clear on unforeseen consequences and how they will be managed, tolerated or avoided.

E.   In order to enable a better view of how the Council is deploying its resources, future budgets should be aligned with the future long term strategy of the Council and as well as the more operational split to service areas.

F.    The work through 2016/17 and future work should pay greater attention to the identification and realisation of income generation and invest to save opportunities by all means available to the Council.

G.   Communication and engagement with all stakeholders and communities on the reality of the situation affecting the Council and the opportunities and options which are available to deliver current services differently, must be a priority.

H.   Work with partners needs to continue to ensure that wherever possible plans and actions do not shunt risks and costs between organisations, and joint and integrated working is explored and implemented to maximise the impact of resources.

I.      The Council should explore with partners, providers and communities how appropriate support can be put in place to enable them to take up opportunities to ensure services that communities’ value continue to be available to them.