Decision details

(i) To recommend to The Executive that they recommend to Council budget proposals for the financial year ended 31 March 2018 in respect of Revenue and Capital, together with approval of the Capital Plan and its associated funding.
(ii) To agree revised charges, where appropriate, for the year ended 31 March 2018.
(iii) To approve remits of any earmarked reserves proposed.
(iv) To approve any delegations arising from items above.

Matter for Decision

Consider the revenue budget proposals in appendix B.

Decision of the Leader and Executive Councillor for Strategy and Transformation

i.              Supported the revenue budget proposals in appendix B.

Reason for the Decision

As set out in the Officer’s report.

Any Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

Not applicable.

Scrutiny Considerations

The Committee received a report from the Head of Finance.

Cllr Bick sought clarification on:

     i.        The contribution to the Sharing Prosperity Fund (pg 167) – and not knowing the outcomes of projects supported.

    ii.        The apprenticeships scheme (pg 168) how many would  there be by the end of four years funding and would any be recruited at the end of training?

   iii.        Business transformation programme (pg 169)

The Leader responded regarding the Sharing Prosperity Fund and that it was managed in a similar way to the Climate Change Fund set up under the Lib Dem administration.  The accountability for the spending rested with the Ex Cllr for Communities with scrutiny by the Community Services Scrutiny Committee.

On apprenticeships, the Head of Human Resources stated that the initial proposal of 20 apprentices was revised to 15 and at present it was probable 12 would complete during the scheme.  Two have completed their apprenticeships.  The scheme was set up with no guarantee of a job at the end of the training, but if a suitable role was vacant and they were eligible, then they could apply. 

 On business transformation, the Chief Executive stated that the funding supported a wide ranging change programme and it was important that there was an appropriate budget for senior management to have available to facilitate this change which was delivering long term savings for the Council.

The Committee resolved by 3 votes to 0 to endorse the recommendation.

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendation.

Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Executive Councillor (and any Dispensations Granted)

No conflicts of interest were declared by the Executive Councillor.