Issue - meetings

Councillor Simon Smith, Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources, introduced the report.

Officers explained that the draft consultation was still being finalised but would be circulated to members before publication. Members expressed concern that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee had not yet seen the draft questions, though reassurance was given that any proposals requiring further consultation would be subject to additional scrutiny in due course.

The Committee noted that:

i.               The Council was ahead of its savings targets, having achieved £4.9m against a two-year requirement of £6m.

ii.             Updated government proposals on the fair funding review, reflecting population growth and changes in the balance of funding streams, placed the Council in a stronger financial position than previously anticipated.

iii.            The consultation would be high-level, accessible and strategic, with scope for bespoke consultations to follow if required.

RESOLVED:

1.    To note the progress towards the Council’s medium-term savings targets.

2.    To request that Cabinet ensure Overview and Scrutiny Committee members are consulted on draft consultation questions at an earlier stage.

3.    To recommend that Cabinet draw upon lessons from last year’s consultation process to inform this year’s design.

4.    To recommend that Cabinet provide assurance that any budget bids requiring additional consultation will be subject to further scrutiny.

Councillor Simon Smith, Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources, presented the report.

In response to questions, officers clarified:

• The Government’s Fair Funding Review was underway, with the second consultation expected later in the year.
• The Council could commit £1.9m to revenue by Year 5, but the cumulative effect of the changes would be a £1.5m reduction over two years.
• Reserves remained under pressure but were sufficient for planning assumptions.

RESOLVED:

1.    To accept the proposed updated savings targets for the General Fund for the next five years, as set out at paragraph 4.1, and a new headline target to save £1.5 million per year over the next two years.

2.    To endorse the proposal to undertake a detailed review of the 30 Year Business Plan for the Housing Revenue Account over the summer, using external advice where appropriate.

3.    To agree the high-level approach to budget setting for 2026/27 set out in section 4.

4.    To agree the high-level approach to public consultation set out in section 6.