No apologies were received.

There were no declarations of interest made.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 30 July 2018 are agreed as an accurate record.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the aligning of the Information and advice, voluntary sector infrastructure support, Wellbeing, Carers, and Healthwatch services into an expanded Strategic Partner programme (as set out in section 3.10 of the Cabinet report) be agreed;

2.    That the Funding Prospectus as the basis on which to commission these services (as set out in section 3.14 – 3.20 of the Cabinet report) be agreed, with the addition of “and community care” to the list of issues in the first bullet point on page 4 of the Prospectus.

3.    That the funding agreements cover the period 2019-22 with funding for the third year of the information and advice and voluntary sector infrastructure support elements subject to a further Cabinet decision in 2020/21 (as set out in section 3.13 of the Cabinet report) be agreed.

4.    That the scoring methodology and weighting to selected providers (as set out in section 3.24 of the Cabinet report) be agreed.

The Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Engagement and Equalities presented the report which set out details of work which undertaken to transition to an outcomes-focused commissioned grants approach for the Strategic Partner programme.  The new programme had been co-designed with representatives of the Voluntary Sector, through a Collaborative Working Group, co-chaired by the Director of Community and Housing and the Chief Executive of Citizens Advice Merton and Lambeth 

The Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health welcomed the approach and the collaborative working with the Voluntary Sector.  Following feedback received, the CEO of Merton centre for Independent Living had requested the inclusion of community care to the list of lead issues for focus as set out in the funding prospectus, and this was recommended to Cabinet for approval.

The Cabinet Member for Environment and Street Cleanliness advised that should the Multiple Sclerosis Society become involved with the Strategic Partner Programme at any point in the future, he would declare an interest as an employee of the Society.  It was noted however, that the Multiple Sclerosis Society was not currently involved.

The Leader welcomed the approach proposed and the collaborative working already undertaken, which reflected the values of the Council to support the most vulnerable members of the community by supporting the Voluntary Sector to deliver services which would benefit the community.

The Cabinet agreed the recommendations in the report, with the amendment to the Prospectus document as detailed above.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the aligning of the Information and advice, voluntary sector infrastructure support, Wellbeing, Carers, and Healthwatch services into an expanded Strategic Partner programme (as set out in section 3.10 of the Cabinet report) be agreed;

2.    That the Funding Prospectus as the basis on which to commission these services (as set out in section 3.14 – 3.20 of the Cabinet report) be agreed, with the addition of “and community care” to the list of issues in the first bullet point on page 4 of the Prospectus.

3.    That the funding agreements cover the period 2019-22 with funding for the third year of the information and advice and voluntary sector infrastructure support elements subject to a further Cabinet decision in 2020/21 (as set out in section 3.13 of the Cabinet report) be agreed.

4.    That the scoring methodology and weighting to selected providers (as set out in section 3.24 of the Cabinet report) be agreed.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the rolled forward MTFS for 2019 – 23 be noted.

2.    That the latest position with regards to savings already in the MTFS be confirmed.

3.    That the approach to setting a balanced budget using the unmet balance of last year’s savings targets as the basis for the setting of targets for 2019-23 be agreed.

4.    That the proposed savings targets be agreed.

5.    That the timetable for the Business Plan 2019-23 including the revenue budget 2019/20, the MTFS 2019-23 and the Capital Programme for 2019-23 be agreed.

6.    That the process for the Service Plan 2019-23 and the progress made so far be noted.

7.    That the information regarding the London Business Rates Pool - Strategic Investment Pot set out in Appendix 3 be noted and authority be delegated for future action regarding the London Business Rates Pool to the Director of Corporate Services in collaboration with the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance.

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance presented the report, which set out an initial review of the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) and updated it for development as part of the business planning process for 2019/20.  The report set out an approach towards setting a balanced budget for 2019-2023 and a draft timetable for the business planning process for 2019/20. It also proposed initial corporate and departmental targets to be met from savings and income over the four year period of the MTFS.

The Cabinet Member advised that many local authorities have experienced financial challenges, losing approximately 62% of their direct grant funding from central government since 2010.  He highlighted the current gap in the budget and the measures which had been put in place to address and deliver savings, as well as future pressures on the budget from an ageing population and children with complex needs.

The Assistant Director of Resources advised that at this stage in the financial year, there was still a degree of uncertainty in the figures.  Guidance was still awaited on the Better Care Fund, the future of the London Business Rates Pool and the Fair Funded Review, all of which could impact on the Council’s budget position.  He drew the Cabinet’s attention to the savings outlined with the report, stressing the need to monitor the delivery of all savings; and highlighted the recommendation to delegate authority to the Director of Corporate Services to take action on the future of the London Business Rates Pool. 

In response to a question from the Cabinet, the Assistant Director of Resources advised that there was a degree of uncertainty around the impact of Brexit on the future funding formula, however the Council was looking at a number of measures to increase resilience and discussions would continue to take place with the Local Government Association.

The Leader of the Council welcomed the report and the proposed approach to business planning with the aim of protecting vulnerable residents and presenting a balanced budget, which would be subject to the Council’s scrutiny process.

The Cabinet agreed the recommendations in the report.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the rolled forward MTFS for 2019 – 23 be noted.

2.    That the latest position with regards to savings already in the MTFS be confirmed.

3.    That the approach to setting a balanced budget using the unmet balance of last year’s savings targets as the basis for the setting of targets for 2019-23 be agreed.

4.    That the proposed savings targets be agreed.

5.    That the timetable for the Business Plan 2019-23 including the revenue budget 2019/20, the MTFS 2019-23 and the Capital Programme for 2019-23 be agreed.

6.    That the process for the Service Plan 2019-23 and the progress made so far be noted.

7.    That the information regarding the London Business Rates Pool - Strategic Investment Pot set out in Appendix 3 be noted and authority be delegated for future action regarding the London Business Rates Pool to the Director of Corporate Services  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

RESOLVED:

1.            That the financial reporting data relating to revenue budgetary control, showing a forecast net overspend at year end of £2.6 million, 0.5% of gross budget be noted.

2.            That the adjustments to the Capital Programme contained in Appendix 5b of the Cabinet report be noted and the changes summarised in the Table below be approved:

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance presented both the Financial Monitoring reports for June and July.  He detailed the overspend which had reduced since June and outlined the recommendations with a number of virements proposed.

The Assistant Director of Resources advised that the figures in the reports would be subject to change as the Council progressed through the remainder of the financial year.

RESOLVED:

1.            That the financial reporting data relating to revenue budgetary control, showing a forecast net overspend at year end of £2.6 million, 0.5% of gross budget be noted.

2.            That the adjustments to the Capital Programme contained in Appendix 5b of the Cabinet report be noted and the changes summarised in the Table below be approved:

RESOLVED:

1.            That the financial reporting data relating to revenue budgetary control, showing a forecast net overspend at year end of £ 1.95million, 0.4% of gross budget be noted.

2.            That a virement of £230k between Building Control and Development control as part of the ongoing process of realigning budget managers’ budgets be approved.

3.            That the adjustments to the Capital Programme contained in Appendix 5b to the Cabinet report be noted and the items summarised below be approved:

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance presented both the Financial Monitoring reports for June and July and the minute is detailed at item 6 above.

RESOLVED:

1.            That the financial reporting data relating to revenue budgetary control, showing a forecast net overspend at year end of £ 1.95million, 0.4% of gross budget be noted.

2.            That a virement of £230k between Building Control and Development control as part of the ongoing process of realigning budget managers’ budgets be approved.

3.            That the adjustments to the Capital Programme contained in Appendix 5b to the Cabinet report be noted and the items summarised below be approved: