Decision details

(i)  Note the consultation on the Executive’s draft budget proposals will commence on 19 November and note the consultation proposals and methodology set out in paragraphs 95 to 102 and Appendix 1 of this report.

(ii)  Note the high level forecast for the General Fund for 2016/17 onwards contained in paragraph 20.

(iii)  Note the pressures which have been included in the forecast which are set out in paragraphs 29 to 37.

(iv)  Note the Executive’s initial savings proposals put forward for consultation in Appendix 2 which amount to £13.0M.

(v)  Note that the Executive’s initial savings set out in Appendix 2 propose the deletion of 182.82 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) posts, of which 31.01FTE are vacant, leaving 151.81FTE at risk of redundancy or TUPE transfer.

(vi)  Note that the Executive’s budget proposals for consultation are based on the assumption that they will recommend a Council Tax increase of 1.99% to Full Council.

(vii)  Note the Medium Term Financial Strategy Model for 2016/17 to 2019/20 contained in paragraph 22.

(viii)  Approve the updated budget setting timetable contained in paragraph 103.

(ix)  Note that work is in train to deliver significant service transformation across the Council, which will continue to aid the formulation of proposals for future service provision to support the Council’s medium term budget position.

(x)  To approve the establishment of a Social Enterprise Fund as per paragraph 72.

(xi)  To note the reserves and balances position set out in paragraphs 73 to 76, including the School Balances Position Statement set out in Appendix 3.

(xii)  Delegate authority to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance, to do anything necessary to give effect to the proposals contained in this report.

The production of a financial forecast and an outline timetable are a requirement of the Council’s Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules. 

In addition, it is good practice for the Council to consult with a range of stakeholders on its proposals for developing the budget.  The recommendations in this report have therefore been put forward to allow this process to formally begin.

The proposals presented in this report represent the Executive’s draft budget for 2016/17 that is being published for consultation.  There are a number of variables and alternative options that could be implemented as part of the budget.  The budget will be set by Full Council in February 2016.