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

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

Contact – James Walton (01743 255011)

(a)  That Council be recommended to agree the refreshed Business Plan and Financial Strategy attached at Appendix 1 and agree the proposals for setting the Council’s budget until 2016/17.

(b)  That it be noted that the funding gap of £80m for the period 2014-17 identified in the Council Business Plan and Financial Strategy agreed by Council in February 2014 had been reviewed and retained for planning purposes.

(c)  That the initial savings proposals identified for achievement by 2015/16 of £66.333m and the progress made in achieving savings be noted and therefore agreement has been given to the amendments and approve the savings proposals identified as removed from base for 2015/16 of £58.909m service savings with the balance of £7.424m to be met by additional ongoing and one off resources.

(d)  That it be noted that the additional service pressures identified for 2015/16 of £7.644m was to be met by additional ongoing and one off resources in 2015/16.

(e)  That the budget for 2015/16 of £571.758m, after savings and internal market costs adjustments be approved.

(f)   That approval be given to accept Council Tax Freeze Grant for 2015/16 of £1.320m on the basis that Council Tax would be frozen for 2015/16.

(g)  That the financial implications of the transfer of Fulcrum and Help2Change to ip&e be noted.

(h)  That the revised Capital Programme for 2015/16 to 2016/17 as set out within the report be agreed and be recommend to Council for approval.

(i)    That the Highways & Transport programme of schemes for delivery in 2015/16 be approved and delegated authority be given to the Area Commissioner South in consultation with the Portfolio Holder to approve any changes to the implementation plan of schemes for delivery in 2015/16, within the parameters of the outline capital programme.

91.1    The Portfolio Holder for Finance, Resources and Support presented a report by the Head of Finance, Governance and Assurance – copy attached to the signed minutes – on the refresh of the Council’s Business Plan and Financial Strategy ahead of setting the Council’s 2015/2016 Budget.  The final refreshed plan attached as an appendix to the report also included the Council’s three year Medium Term Financial Plan covering the same period.  The Plan and Strategy had also been set within the context of the Council’s other key strategic documents, in particular, the Treasury Management Strategy, and the Capital Strategy which was also incorporated within the Council Business Plan.  The report also included an update of the capital programme for 2015 to 2017 based on current confirmed funding and delivery schedules for capital schemes.

91.2    In response to a query from a Member the Head of Finance, Governance and Assurance confirmed the public consultation had now closed and that following the redaction of some personal details and contact with the individuals concerned to make sure they had no objection to their comments being made public, the consultation responses would be appended to the report to Council.

91.3    RESOLVED:

(a)  That Council be recommended to agree the refreshed Business Plan and Financial Strategy attached at Appendix 1 and agree the proposals for setting the Council’s budget until 2016/17.

(b)  That it be noted that the funding gap of £80m for the period 2014-17 identified in the Council Business Plan and Financial Strategy agreed by Council in February 2014 had been reviewed and retained for planning purposes.

(c)  That the initial savings proposals identified for achievement by 2015/16 of £66.333m and the progress made in achieving savings be noted and therefore agreement has been given to the amendments and approve the savings proposals identified as removed from base for 2015/16 of £58.909m service savings with the balance of £7.424m to be met by additional ongoing and one off resources.

(d)  That it be noted that the additional service pressures identified for 2015/16 of £7.644m was to be met by additional ongoing and one off resources in 2015/16.

(e)  That the budget for 2015/16 of £571.758m, after savings and internal market costs adjustments be approved.

(f)   That approval be given to accept Council Tax Freeze Grant for 2015/16 of £1.320m on the basis that Council Tax would be frozen for 2015/16.

(g)  That the financial implications of the transfer of Fulcrum and Help2Change to ip&e be noted.

(h)  That the revised Capital Programme for 2015/16 to 2016/17 as set out within the report be agreed and be recommend to Council for approval.

(i)    That the Highways & Transport programme of schemes for delivery in 2015/16 be approved and delegated authority be given to the Area Commissioner South in consultation with the Portfolio Holder to approve any changes to the implementation plan of schemes for delivery in 2015/16, within the parameters of the outline capital programme.