Decision details

This item had not been circulated 5 clear working days in advance of the meeting.  The chair agreed to accept the item as urgent because of the significant impact of the provisional settlement 2011/12 to 2012/13 on the council’s budget and resource planning process.

RESOLVED:

1.  That the provisional local government settlement for 2011/12 and 2012/13 which was published on 13 December 2010 be noted.

2.  That it be noted that the issues in the report and subsequent analysis form the basis of a formal response to the consultation on the provisional local government settlement which must be submitted to government by 17 January 2011.

3.  That it be noted that the Leader is writing to the Right Honourable Eric Pickles, MP, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (CLG) to request a meeting to discuss the proposals set out in the provisional settlement.

4.  That it be confirmed that the budget principles agreed by cabinet on 21 September 2010 continue to guide and underpin the work of officers in arriving at a balanced budget in February 2011.

5.  That taking all the issues in the report, the finance director report back to the cabinet at its meeting on 25 January 2011, and in advance of the 31 January overview and scrutiny meeting, on the budget for 2011/12, and indicative budgets for 2012/13 and 2013/14.

6.  That the updated draft medium term resources strategy (Appendix 1 of the report ) be noted and the finance director present a final version at the 25 January 2011 cabinet meeting.

7.  That the three Southwark MPs be requested to make representations on behalf of constituents to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government on the provisional local government settlement.

8.  That the finance director circulate a briefing note on the local government settlement to all elected Members.