Decision details

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Resources and Workforce Planning seeking to set out the latest estimated overall financial position on the General Fund Revenue Budget for 2010/11 to 2011/12 and to outline the main issues that need to be addressed in considering the Cabinet’s budget proposals to Council on 17th February

(i)  To note the position on the estimated outturn and revised budget for 2009/10 as set out in paragraphs 4 to 9.

(ii)  To approve £250,000 in 2009/10 for highway maintenance following the severe weather conditions at the start of this year, to be met from savings in the overall general fund budget in 2009/10.

(iii)  To note the position on the forecast roll forward budget for 2010/11 as set out in paragraphs 10 to 16.

(iv)  To delegate authority to Policy Coordinators following consultation with the relevant Cabinet Members to implement any changes to fees and charges that are part of the approved general fund budget.

(v)  To note and approve the arrangements made by the Leader, in accordance with the Local Government Act 2000, for the Cabinet Member for Resources and Workforce Planning to have responsibility for financial management and budgetary policies and strategies, and that the Cabinet Member for Resources and Workforce Planning will, in accordance with the Budget & Policy Framework Rules as set out in the Council’s Constitution, be authorised accordingly to finalise the Executive’s proposals in respect of the Budget for 2010/11, in consultation with the Leader, for submission to Full Council on 17^th February 2010.

Recommends that Full Council

(vi)  To note the Consultation process that was followed outlined in Appendix 1.

(vii)  To approve the revised estimate for 2009/10 as set out in Appendix 2.

(viii)  To note the position on the forecast roll forward budget for 2010/11 as set out in paragraphs 10 to 16.

(ix)  To approve the Invest to Save Bids set out in Appendix 3.

(x)  To approve the revenue pressures, revenue developments and revenue bids as set out in Appendices 4, 5 and 6.

(xi)  To approve the efficiencies, income and service reductions as set out in Appendix 7.

(xii)  To approve the General Fund Revenue Budget as set out in Appendix 8 which assumes a council tax increase of 2.50%.

(xiii)  To delegate authority to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to action all budget changes arising from the approved pressures, bids, efficiencies, income and service reductions and incorporate any other approved amendments into the General Fund estimates.

(xiv)  To notes that after taking these items into account, there is an estimated General Fund balance of £4.5M at the end of 2012/13 as detailed in paragraph 36.

(xv)  To delegate authority to the Executive Director of Resources in consultation with the Solicitor to the Council to do anything necessary to give effect to the recommendations in this report.

(xvi)  To set the Budget Requirement for 2010/11 at £183,269,600.

(xvii)  To note the estimates of precepts on the Council Tax collection fund for 2010/11 as set out in Appendix 10.

(xviii)  To note the Medium Term Forecast as set out in Appendix 11.

(xix)  To authorise the Chief Executive and Chief Officers to pursue the development of the options for efficiencies, income and service reductions as set out in Appendix 7 for the financial years 2011/12 and 2012/13 and continue to develop options to close the remaining projected gaps in those years in line with the proposed Efficiency Strategy.

(xx)  To approve a further £250,000 in 2009/10 for highway maintenance following the severe weather conditions at the start of this year, to be met from savings in the overall general fund budget in 2009/10.

(xxi)  To approve the Efficiency Strategy attached in Appendix 12.

The Constitution requires the Executive to recommend to Council on the 17^th February 2010 its budget proposals for the forthcoming year.  The recommendations contained in this report set out the various elements of the budget that need to be considered and addressed by the Cabinet in preparing the final papers that will be forwarded to Council.

Alternative options for revenue spending form an integral part of the development of the overall Budget Strategy that will be considered at the budget setting meeting on 17^th February 2010.  Alternative options may be drawn up by opposition groups and presented to the same meeting.