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Agenda item

Business Plan 2020-24

Decision:

RESOLVED

1. That the approach to rolling forward the MTFS for 2020-24 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 2020-24 be agreed.

4. That the proposed savings targets be agreed.

5. That the timetable for the Business Plan 2020-24 including the revenue budget 2020/21, the MTFS 2020-24 and the Capital Programme for 2020-24 be agreed.

6. That the process for the Service Plan 2020-24 and the progress made so far be noted.

7. That the proposed new savings, replacement savings and deferred savings for 2020-24 be noted and referred to the Scrutiny Panels and Commission; and that these savings be ratified at a future Cabinet meeting subject to scrutiny comments. (Draft Equality Assessments (EAs) will be provided for the Overview and Scrutiny panels and Commission).

8. That the proposed new capital bids and draft capital programme 2020-24 be noted and referred to the Scrutiny Panels and Commission.

Minutes:

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance presented the report which set out a draft Business Plan for the next four years. He thanked all those involved in the report and welcomed their hard work and business-like attitude to the financial management of the Council. It was due to this approach that the Council had been able to provide a high level of service which had contributed to a good level of satisfaction and pride in the borough. However, there was currently a period of uncertainty for both the Council and the Country, with a lack of guidance from the government. The United Kingdom’s exit from the EU would have an impact on public finances and the ability to deliver public services. The current uncertainty was also impacting on the Council’s ability to plan 3 to 4 years ahead. The Cabinet Member highlighted the key points in the report for Cabinet’s consideration, including the current estimate of savings required.

The proposed savings set out in the report were subject to equalities impact assessments, which would be presented to the relevant Scrutiny Panels as part of the first round of Budget Scrutiny; and he welcomed the input of the Cabinet Member for Women and Equalities. He advised that it was unlikely that savings would be found that had no impact on residents, however the Council would be focussing on protecting services to children and vulnerable adults and bridging the gap between the east and west of the Borough. It was possible that additional proposed savings would be reported to the December meeting of the Cabinet following the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s Budget announcement on 6 November.

The Director of Corporate Services advised the Cabinet that the figures in the report were likely to change as further information became available. She outlined the key areas for the Cabinet’s consideration which were having the biggest impact on the Council’s finances. The report outlined some growth items and further details on these would be brought to the December Cabinet meeting for consideration. If the Government called a General Election in early December, this could have an impact on any funding announcement for local government. However officers were working with colleagues across the Council to mitigate any effects.

The Chair echoed the comments made and welcomed the forthcoming budget scrutiny. He thanked all those involved for their work and acknowledged that difficult choices would need to be made accross local government.