Issue - meetings

Tim Willis, Director of Corporate Resources introduced the report for debate. Mr Willis advised Members that Cabinet had considered the report at their meeting on 17 November 2016 and approved the budget strategy as the basis for setting out the budget proposals submitted to Full Council on 01 December 2016.

One member thanked Mr Willis for conducting one to one Member briefings on the budget, which helped Members understand the budget strategy proposals before they were put before Cabinet. Another Member asked whether the Council liabilities (£250k) that had arisen as a result of the court case brought by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) on 18 November would negatively impact on the reserves. In response Mr Willis said that there would be no impact as such costs had been provided for separately.

There being no specific recommendations to make to Cabinet, Members noted the report.

Cabinet debated the draft budget strategy for the General Fund, Housing Revenue Account and Capital budgets for the financial year 2017-18. They also considered the financial assumptions for the medium term and fees & charges policy.

Members agreed that it was worth noting that the financial context when considering the 2017-18 budget was extremely challenging. Therefore the proposed budget strategy anticipated reductions in external funding, although the council would not have an indication of government funding until December 2016.

Despite this challenging financial environment, it was Cabinet’s intention to direct the limited resources at the Council’s disposal, towards delivering corporate priorities.

Councillor I. Gregory spoke under Council Procedure Rule 20.1.

Councillor Townend proposed, Councillor Brimm seconded and Cabinet approved the Budget Strategy and noted the draft General Fund and HRA capital programmes.