Issue - meetings

Council is asked to:

1.    Note the current projected draft budget gaps set out in 1.80-1.81 of the report,

2.    Approve the exploration of the range of options over the four year period set out in the report to close the budget gap. These options include seeking to maximise transformation savings including digital transformation, smarter use of physical assets, delivering cashable savings, prioritisation and collaboratives savings and in the last instance to use its reserves to deliver a balanced budget for 2024-25 and noting that there is some headroom to protect front line services and vulnerable residents, either in 2024/25 or future years; and

3.    Confirm support for the initiatives suggested in the report which will allow Officers to work on closing the gaps for the years 2024-25 to 2027-28.

Council considered the Outlined Budget Report 2024-25 to 2027-28.

It was proposed by Councillor S. Dunn, seconded by Councillor J. Sexton and resolved to extend the meeting beyond three hours in accordance with Standing Order 5.2.

S. Doran and J. Doran left the meeting at 21:52.

Council resolved to:

1.    Note the current projected draft budget gaps as set out in 1.80-1.81 of the report,

2.    Approve the exploration of the range of options over the four year period set out in the report to close the budget gaps including seeking to maximise transformation savings, including digital transformation, smarter use of physical assets, delivering cashable savings, prioritisation and collaborative savings and in the last instance to use its reserves to deliver a balanced budget for 2024/25. It was noted that there was some headroom to protect front line services and vulnerable residents, either in 2024/25 or future years; and

3.    Confirm support for the initiatives suggested in the report which would allow Officers to work on closing the gaps for the years 2024-25 to 2027-28.

Please note that this is a Draft Report

The Committee is asked to:

1.    Note the current projected draft Budget gaps set out in 1.21 of the report,

2.    Recommend that the Council uses its reserves to deliver a balanced budget for 2024/25 and note that there is some headroom to protect front line services and vulnerable residents, either in 2024/25 or future years; and

3.    Confirm support for the initiatives suggested in the report which will allow Officers to work on closing the gaps for the years 2024-25 to 2027-28

The Committee considered a report from the Chief Finance Officer and the Chief Accountant.

Members were advised that following a recommendation from the Members Financial Reporting Group, this report was piloting the use of the new ‘4 block reporting system’.

The Chief Finance Officer advised that Committee that it would be prudent to take a medium term approach to the Council’s finances and that identified savings would be tracked to ensure that they are were in line with what was planned.

The Committee resolved to:

1.    Note the current projected draft Budget gaps as set out in 1.80-1.81 of the report,

2.    To recommend to Council that it explores the range of options over the four year period set out in the report, to close the budget gaps including seeking to maximise transformation savings, including digital transformation, smarter use of physical assets, delivering cashable savings, prioritisation and collaborative savings and in the last instance use it reserves to deliver a balanced budget for 2024/25 and note that there is some headroom to protect front line services and vulnerable residents, either in 2024/25 or future years; and

3.    To confirm support for the initiatives suggested in the report which will allow Officers to work on closing the gaps for the years 2024-24 to 2027-28.