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

Report of the Head of Finance, Governance and Assurance is attached, marked 7.

Contact – James Walton (01743 255001)

(a)   That the level of savings required in 2016/17 to deliver the third and final year of the 2014-17 Financial Strategy be noted.

(b)  That the work being undertaken to develop a sustainable Business model for the Council be noted.

(c)  That the implications of the outturn position for 2014/15 and P3 monitoring on the Financial Strategy be noted.

(d)  That the 2015/16 allocations against New Homes Bonus Funding be noted.

39.1    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 review undertaken of the Council’s Financial Strategy 2014/2-15 to 2016/2017 since it had been agreed by Council on 26 February 2015.  The Strategy was a rolling plan which would be revised each financial year, usually quarterly, as more information became available about the level of resources, service pressures and service delivery changes.  The updates would use the most up to date information to develop, guide and review a new Sustainable Business Model for Shropshire Council.

39.2    In response to comments made during the ensuing discussion the Chief Executive emphasised that the Council’s concerns regarding the implications of continuing public sector austerity measures both current and into the future in the county and also nationally were being made clearly to central government by the Local Government Association.  He also referred to the key role held by Mrs Cecilia Motley on the Rural Services Network/Rural Alliance which afforded her the opportunity to highlight concerns at a high level regarding improving provision in the rural areas.

39.2    RESOLVED:

(a)  That the level of savings required in 2016/17 to deliver the third and final year of the 2014-17 Financial Strategy be noted.

(b)  That the work being undertaken to develop a sustainable Business model for the Council be noted.

(c)  That the implications of the outturn position for 2014/15 and P3 monitoring on the Financial Strategy be noted.

(d)  That the 2015/16 allocations against New Homes Bonus Funding be noted.