RESOLVED:

That the recommendation made by the Overview and Scrutiny Commission (set out in paragraph 2.4 of the Cabinet report) and the outcomes of consideration by the Overview and Scrutiny Panels (set out in Appendix 1 to the Cabinet report) be taken into account when taking decisions relating to the Business Plan 2020-24.

At the invitation of the Chair, Councillor Peter Southgate, Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Commission presented the reference report and outlined the discussions which had taken place as part of the second round of budget scrutiny.

The savings had been questioned closely and it was felt that they were necessary and deliverable.  It was noted that there was still a degree of uncertainty around the business rates retention, the Government’s fair funding review, their plans for the funding of adult social care and the Department of Education’s response to the Council’s DSG recovery plan.  The Commission had requested that it be kept updated of any developments via the quarterly monitoring reports.  If the DfE’s response was favourable it could be transformational for the Council’s revenue budget and the Cabinet was asked to consider whether any surplus could be used to address the savings which had been identified as higher risk.  He concluded by thanking the Cabinet Member for Finance and the Director of Corporate Services for their contribution to the budget scrutiny process.

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance thanked Councillor Southgate and all the scrutiny panels and officers involved, highlighting the considerable work which had gone into the budget process.  He welcomed the comments made by the Commission, particularly on the uncertainty around the funding announcements from the Government.  He agreed that the Commission and Panels should be kept updated via the regular financial monitoring reports and noted the view of the scrutiny members that the Council should keep its options open in respect of reversing any savings, as in some instances savings could help to deliver a better service for residents.

The Director of Corporate Services confirmed that Members would be kept updated via the regular monitoring reports and asked that Members be mindful of the uncertainty around the timetable for the Government’s announcements on future funding.

The Chair thanked all those present and the Scrutiny Members for their contributions.

RESOLVED:

That the recommendation made by the Overview and Scrutiny Commission (set out in paragraph 2.4 of the Cabinet report) and the outcomes of consideration by the Overview and Scrutiny Panels (set out in Appendix 1 to the Cabinet report) be taken into account when taking decisions relating to the Business Plan 2020-24.