Lead Member – Mr Mike Owen, Portfolio Holder for Resources, Finance and Support.

Report of the Head of Finance, Resources and Governance (Section 151 Officer) is to follow.

Contact – James Walton – 01743 255011

(a)  That it be noted that the funding gap of £80m for the period 2014/2017 identified in the Council Business Plan and Financial Strategy agreed by Council in February 2014 had been reviewed and retained for planning purposes.

(b)  That the progress made in achieving the agreed savings be noted and the amendments and alternative savings identified within the Business Plan and Financial Strategy be agreed.

(c)  That approval be given to remove any allocation of council tax support grant to Town and Parish Councils for 2015/16 and future year’s council tax reduction scheme.

63.1    The Portfolio Holder for Finance and Resources and Support presented a report by the Head of Finance, Governance and Assurance – copy attached to the signed minutes – on the refresh undertaken of the Council’s Business Plan and Financial Strategy 2014/2015 to 2016/2017 which was attached as Appendix 1 and included the Council’s three year Medium Term Financial Plan covering the same period.

63.2    During the ensuing discussion a Member expressed concern at the proposed removal of any allocation of council tax support grant to Town and Parish Councils for 2015/2016 and future year’s council tax reduction scheme.  He referred to comments from Central Government on the need to pass the funds downwards to the parishes and asked for the reasons why the Council was proposing not do so, particularly at a time when the Local Joint Committees and parishes were being asked to take on additional services, and indicated that no consultation had been undertaken with the parishes on the matter. 

63.3    In response the Leader referred to the challenges facing the Council in meeting the £80m overall funding gap over the three year period and specifically to the demands upon and pressures being felt within Adult and Children’s Services. He commented on the need for all levels of local authorities to make savings and work together to help deliver services in different ways with better outcomes for the customers.  In the event of the proposal being approved, consultation would then commence on the matter, with everyone having the right to submit their views on the issue. He indicated, however, that should the proposal not be agreed then equivalent savings would need to be found from other sources.

63.4    A further Member referred to proposed savings to be made through the re-negotiation of contracts and sought clarification regarding the likely areas to be affected by the action.  He also queried the way in which additional staffing reductions would be implemented and whether these would be through voluntary or compulsory means.  In response the Leader indicated that ideally the reductions would be by voluntary means but that discussions would need to be carried out with the persons concerned in due course, in order to achieve the required necessary savings arising from the pressures, particularly in Adult Services.  The Portfolio Holder for Adult Services also confirmed that the commissioning of services was undertaken both through the voluntary and private sector in order to provide support to vulnerable persons and the Council would endeavour to continue working in co-operation with them.

63.5    The same Member then indicated his support for more local delivery of services and suggested that his Town Council would welcome the opportunity to work more closely with Shropshire Council subject to greater consultation and to it being a two way process.  In response the Leader made an offer to the Member for him to join the working party set up to progress the matter, and indicated that he would speak further with him after the meeting.

63.6    The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 63