Decision details

Agreement to the proposals for the allocation of available resources to support the delivery of the council’s spending priorities for 2014/15. The final budget proposals will be presented to Full Council in February for approval.

The Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report setting out the Initial Budget Proposals for 2014/15 in accordance with the Council’s constitution which requires the Executive to publish initial budget proposals two months prior to adoption by full Council - scheduled for the 26th February 2014. The Budget proposals were provided within the context of the Medium Term Financial Strategy for the period 2014/15-2015/16; and anticipated further significant reductions in the level of funding available to the authority.

The Deputy Chief Executive reported receipt of the provisional Local Government Finance Settlement 2014/15 just prior to the meeting and indicated that a briefing would be provided to Members as soon as possible.

Discussions emphasised the following as being key considerations for the future:

·  consideration of the base line departmental budgets for 2015/16

·  a robust assessment of; and consultation on; the services the authority could reasonably be expected to continue to deliver

·  the need to recognise that a flexible approach to operate/deliver services in partnership with other Bodies/Authorities was required

The report highlighted that, subject to the approval of the Executive Board, the initial Budget proposals would be submitted to Scrutiny for their consideration and review, with the outcome of their deliberations to be reported to the meeting of Executive Board on the 14^th February 2014. The proposals would also be made available to other stakeholders as part of a wider and continuing process of consultation.

RESOLVED –

a)  That the contents of the report be agreed as the initial budget proposals

b)  That the initial budget proposals be submitted to Scrutiny and be used as a basis for wider consultation with stakeholders.

(Under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 16.5, Councillors A Carter and Golton required it to be recorded that they both abstained from voting on the decisions taken above)

(The matters referred to within this minute were not eligible for Call In, as decisions regarding the Council’s budget were ultimately reserved to Council)

In accordance with the Council’s constitution, consultation will undertaken with stakeholders.

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