Agenda item

RECOMMENDATION:

It is recommended that scrutiny committee comment on the proposals within the attached cabinet report, ref CAB3444 which is to be considered by cabinet at its meeting on the 8 February 2024.

Councillor Cutler, Cabinet Member for Finance & Performance introduced the report, ref CAB3444 which set out proposals for the General Fund Budget 2024/25, (available here).  The introduction included the following points.

1.    That the Government’s initial Finance Settlement aligned closely with forecasts, varying by only £11,000 from the assumed core funding level in the Medium Term Financial Plan presented in November, but noting it was only a one-year settlement agreement.

2.    That the updated budget projections showed the Council's stable financial position through 2026, albeit with identified longer-term deficits.

3.    An organisation-wide transformation programme, TC25, was initiated to address a £3 million funding gap within three years.

4.    Significant investments were being made and included improvements to our website and app to make contacting and reporting matters to the council easier; streamlining the back-office of the parking service to improve the operation of our car parks; and digitalisation of the planning service to make submission of applications easier and the processing of them more efficient.

5.    The report outlined proposals for the next year focusing on supporting core services and the 'Greener, Faster' initiative, notably in recycling, food waste collection, and decarbonisation of the waste fleet, reducing the council’s overall carbon emissions by 25%.

6.    Provision existed to assist residents with the cost of living challenges through schemes like the Council Tax Reduction and additional funding for hardship schemes, alongside continued community grant support.

7.    Despite longer-term financial hurdles, a balanced 2024/25 budget was presented, ensuring the preservation of essential services and enhancing the Council's transformation capacity.

The committee was asked to comment on the proposals within the attached cabinet report, ref CAB3444 which was to be considered by the cabinet at its meeting on 8 February 2024.

The committee proceeded to ask questions and debate the report. In summary, the following matters were raised.

1.    The use of the exceptional financial hardship fund and whether new funding was available.

2.    The impact of reducing the long-term empty property criteria from two years to one.

3.    Clarification regarding any potential impact of the civil enforcement team's redesign.

4.    Clarification on the budget provision for carbon offsetting projects and further details on future investment plans for carbon reduction.

5.    Clarification regarding the TC25 initiative, and whether it would generate genuine efficiencies or cost reductions.

6.    Clarification regarding any additional government funds/grants that had been received and an explanation of how these funds are factored into the budget.

7.    Clarification was sought regarding the reduction in the building control budget and the proposed increase in associated fees.

8.    Questions were asked regarding the response to the budget consultations and whether improvement in public engagement could be considered.

9.    Whether the forecasted savings from TC25 considered additional government grants and if it presented figures represented worst-case scenarios.

10. Clarification was sought regarding managing or reducing the costs associated with external audit fees.

11. Clarification regarding the digital transformation budget and whether it represented ongoing maintenance or transformative projects.

These points were responded to by Councillor Cutler (Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance), Liz Keys, (Chief Financial Officer), Laura Taylor, (Chief Executive), and Councillor Tod (Leader and Cabinet Member for Asset Management) accordingly.

RESOLVED

1.    That the report be noted.

2.    That cabinet considers all the committee’s comments raised during the discussion of the item.