Agenda item

To review the budget, fees and charges, growth bids, savings bids and capital bids for the committee’s areas of responsibility.

The Chief Accountant presented the draft budget, fees and charges, growth bids, and savings bids for the committee’s areas of responsibility.

The Chief Accountant apologised with regards to the late issuing of two updated documents due to an error with cost codes.

The Chief Accountant highlighted areas in the Net Expenditure Budget where there were differences between the current and previous year. The Committee noted the rise in water costs and that budget managers were exploring what could be done to mitigate costs.

The Chief Accountant introduced the growth bids to the committee’s areas of responsibility. The Committee debated whether the bid for Conservation Area Appraisals was required in full for the financial year or if the cost and work could be spread across a number of years in an effort to make savings. The Committee recommended that the bid proceed as requested but that further detail on the proposed growth bids should be provided to members ahead of the budget being reviewed by the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee. The Committee noted the costs related to the emergency planning budget were largely a statutory cost.

The Chief Accountant presented the savings bids.

The Chief Accountant presented the Fees and Charges. Following instruction by the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee, fees had been increased by at least 5% with some increased to a higher level.

The Committee resolved to recommend the draft 23/24 budget to the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee.