Lead Member – Councillor Peter Nutting – Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Strategy

Report of the Head of Finance, Governance and Assurance [Section 151 Officer]  TO FOLLOW

Contact: James Walton      Tel: 01743 255001

RESOLVED:

That the savings proposals be approved which will deliver a balanced budget as outlined in Appendix 4, enabling the Leader of the Council to take his proposed budget to consultation before taking to Council on 22^nd February 2018.

The Leader presented a report from the Head of Finance, Governance and Assurance that set a financial strategy for the Council, enabling a balanced budget to be set for 2018/19 to 2019/20 and the potential to set a sustainable and balanced budget in the years beyond.  He stated that an adjustment may be neede to accommodate pay levels that may increase more than the currently calculated 1%, a rise to 2% would cost the Council an additional £1.  suggested that Officers would be able to provide further information on the items in Appendix 4 to the report that would provide clarification to his concerns.

Responding to a Member’s concerns on the influence of the work of the Financial Strategy Task and Finish Group, the Chief Executive stressed that there was still time for alternative ideas to be put forward. The Member commented that he hoped the Task and Finish Group would come forward with ideas to mitigate the current financial position of the Council.  He believed the Council’s current financial strategy presented a schedule of draconian cuts and high risk strategies to bridge the funding gap of a Council in a state of collapse.  The Leader wholeheartedly refuted these assertions and gave assurances that the Council was working to address the financial issues.

Replying to a Member’s query, the Leader stated that there was no intention to increase Council Tax higher than currently planned or to have a Referendum on this issue. He indicated that, should the Financial Strategy Task and Finish Group make recommendations that would incur higher costs to the Council, they were not likely to be accepted.

The Portfolio Holder for Health and Adult Social Care gave reassurances that it was not anticipated that support re intervention and protection of individuals would be jeopardised.  He commented that Adult Social Care support was means tested so the most vulnerable would be protected.  Referring to the Minimum Income Guarantee, he added that the proposed reduction would bring the authority in line with other Local Authorities.  He concluded that the IT investment would result in considerable savings.

RESOLVED:

That the savings proposals be approved which will deliver a balanced budget as outlined in Appendix 4, enabling the Leader of the Council to take his proposed budget to consultation before taking to Council on 22^nd February 2018.