Lead Member – Councillor David Minnery – Portfolio Holder for Finance

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

Contact: James Walton      Tel: 01743 258915

RESOLVED:

i)             That the financial implications identified in 2018/19 and 2019/20 from the implementation of the amended Pay and Reward Policy, be noted:

ii)            That the savings proposals to contribute towards the cost of the amended Pay and Reward Policy, as outlined in Appendix 1, be approved.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance presented the first financial strategy report for 2018/19 from the Head of Finance, Governance and Assurance on the Council’s financial position given the increase in expenditure resulting from the approval of the amendment to the Pay and Reward Policy.

A member commented on the merits of the increase in staff pay against the use of agency staff who would not have the same level of loyalty to the authority.

Responding to the concerns of several members regarding the reductions in the budget for public health, the Portfolio Holder for Adult Services, Health and Social Housing reiterated that the public health ring-fenced grant had to be spent on public health outcomes with the resources being used better and work being done more efficiently; the Chief Executive added that efficiencies within the ring fenced public health grant were being sought, the spending level within the grant remained unchanged.

Members noted that authority rated very highly on public health outcomes nationally.  It was further noted that the Chair of the Health and Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee had already indicated that the Scrutiny Committee could add scrutiny of the new savings proposals, as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report, to its Work Programme.

A Member referred to paragraph 4.3 of the report and queried the measures being taken to recover outstanding debts with the CCG.  The Portfolio Holder for Adult Services, Health and Social Housing commented that the new executive team at the CCG provided a window of opportunity to make progress regarding the debt and also to forge an improved working relationship.

The Leader stressed that the Council was working more efficiently and spending less with many of the savings implemented having little or no effect on public outcomes.

RESOLVED:

i)             That the financial implications identified in 2018/19 and 2019/20 from the implementation of the amended Pay and Reward Policy, be noted:

ii)            That the savings proposals to contribute towards the cost of the amended Pay and Reward Policy, as outlined in Appendix 1, be approved.