RESOLVED that, in taking decisions relating to the Business Plan 2018-22, the comments and recommendations made by the Overview and Scrutiny Commission and the outcomes of consideration by the Overview and Scrutiny Panels be taken into account.

At the invitation of the Chair, Councillor Peter Southgate, Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Commission, presented the report on the second round of budget scrutiny.  He noted the lack of detailed comment on individual savings proposed, as it had been the intention of the Commission and it’s Panels to take a broader strategic view of the proposed budget.  It was recognised that the Council was in a position to set a balanced budget for the next financial year, but that a substantial gap was faced in 2020/21 and that it was not immediately apparent how this would be filled.  However, it was noted that the Merantun Property Company provided a good example of the Council taking more control over its financial future.  Cllr Southgate thanked all those Members and officers involved in the budget scrutiny process.

The Chair thanked Councillor Southgate and Cabinet welcomed the report.

RESOLVED that, in taking decisions relating to the Business Plan 2018-22, the comments and recommendations made by the Overview and Scrutiny Commission and the outcomes of consideration by the Overview and Scrutiny Panels be taken into account.