Agenda and minutes

Cabinet approved the appointment of Councillor Lambert to replace Councillor Quadir as the Council’s representative at King Edwards School.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport seeking approval for Southampton city Council to adopt a Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan.

DECISION MADE: (CAB 23/24 40221)

On consideration of the report of the Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, Cabinet approved the following:

(i)  To adopt the Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan 2023-2030.

(ii)  To delegate authority to the Executive Director of Place,  following consultation with the Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, to update the Strategy and Action Plan and make amendments, as long as they do not change its core value or have financial implications, so that all implementation, delivery and management requirements continue to be sufficient and effective.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport seeking approval for Southampton City Council to sign the UK100 Net Zero Pledge and become members of UK100.

DECISION MADE: (CAB 23/24 40223)

On consideration of the report of the Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, Cabinet approved Southampton City Council’s membership of UK100 and delegate authority to the Executive Director for Place to sign their Net Zero Pledge subject to the adoption of its Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan and, to renew the membership annually following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Finance and Change detailing the Medium Term Financial Strategy and cost control update.

DECISION MADE: (CAB 23/24 40221)

On consideration of the report of the Cabinet Member for Finance and Change, Cabinet approved the following:

General Fund – Revenue

i)  Notes the updated budget position, progress made on the financial strategy and MTFS forecast.

ii)  Notes the savings proposals being consulted upon set out in paragraphs 33, 34, 40 and 41, and the full list of tranche 3 cost control and future savings measures set out in appendix 5.

iii)  Notes initial work on transformation costs (see paragraph 43 and table 6).

iv)  Agrees to the receipt of additional in-year grants from Government as set out in paragraph 70.  The grants are: Short Breaks (£979k); Family Safeguard Model (£514k); Wraparound Childcare programme (£1,181k).

v)  Notes the consequence of not having a balanced budget, in terms of the option to seek Exceptional Financial Support from Government (see paragraphs 82 to 88) and what may ensue should a section 114 notice be required (see paragraphs 89 to 95).

vi)  Notes the financial risks as set out in the risk management section (paragraphs 106 to 120) and Appendix 8.

Capital Programme

vii)  Note the revised General Fund Capital Programme, which totals £234.62M as detailed in paragraph 46.

viii)  Note the HRA Capital Programme is £255.70M as detailed in paragraph 46.

ix)  Approve the addition and spend of £2.15M to the Children & Learning programme in 2023/24 and 2024/25, as detailed in paragraphs 47 to 49 and Appendix 6.

x)  Approve the virements of £2.69M in the Place programme, as detailed in paragraphs 50 to 51 and Appendix 6.

xi)  Approve the addition and spend of £0.78M to the Place programme in 2023/24, as detailed in paragraph 52 and Appendix 6.

xii)  Approve the reduction of £6.92M to the Place programme in 2024/25, as detailed in paragraphs 53 and 54 and Appendix 6.

xiii)  Approve the addition and spend of £0.45M to the Wellbeing & Housing programme in 2023/24, as detailed in paragraph 55 and Appendix 6.

xiv)  Approve the reduction of £0.22M to the Wellbeing & Housing programme in 2023/24, as detailed in paragraph 56 and Appendix 6.

xv)  Approve slippage of £7.25M within the General Fund programme, as detailed in paragraphs 57 to 59 and Appendix 7.

xvi)  Approve slippage of £11.95M within the HRA programme, as detailed in paragraphs 57 to 59 and Appendix 7.

xvii)  Note that the capital programme remains fully funded up to 2027/28 based on the latest forecast of available resources although the forecast can be subject to change; most notably regarding the value and timing of anticipated capital receipts and the use of prudent assumptions of future government grants to be received. However, the funding assumed for the programme includes borrowing costs and as noted in this report, the revenue budget which includes capital financing, is not balanced. It is also important to note that in times of rising interest rates, inflationary pressures and future budget shortfalls the capital programme needs to be kept under review.