Issue - meetings

RESOLVED:

1.  That the government’s Autumn Statement, delivered on 3 December 2014; the provisional settlement announced on 18 December 2014; and that the final settlement, expected to be confirmed in early February 2015, be noted.

2.  That the provisional settlement contained no indicative grant settlement figures for 2016/17 or beyond be noted.

3.  That representations have been made to the minister by the leader and by the cabinet member for finance, strategy and performance with regard to the provisional settlement be noted.

4.  That specific funding by government for Local Welfare Provision has been removed from the settlement be noted.

5.  That cabinet have previously agreed to extend the Southwark Emergency Support Scheme until 2017/18, despite the withdrawal of this Social Welfare Provision funding and that budget provision for 2015/16 is provided in the budget proposals contained in the report be noted.

6.  That the principle to set a one year budget for 2015/16 in the context of uncertainty over funding levels for 2016/17 and beyond be agreed.

7.  That the balanced general fund budget proposals for 2015/16 contained within the report, including resources available, commitments, income generation efficiencies and improved use of resources and other savings impacting on service delivery be noted.

8.  That the balanced budget plans for council tax to be frozen for 2015/16 be noted.

9.  That these proposals for 2015/16 be noted, including the impacts of:

·  The provisional grant settlement;

·  An increase in Council Tax revenue to reflect an increase in the taxbase and improved collection rates;

·  An increase in retained business rates;

·  Pay awards for council staff in line with national agreements;

·  Contractual inflation;

·  Top slicing of new homes bonus to redirect resources to the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP);

·  Reduction in grant to support Housing Benefit administration;

·  One off use of reserves of £6.2m;

·  One off reductions in insurance fund provisions of £500k to reflect reduced insurance risks;

·  Contingency provision retained at £4m to help mitigate risks inherent within the council’s savings programme for 2015/16 and beyond.

10.  That the need in the context of these proposals to monitor especially the implementation of the Care Act during 2015/16 and any further and unforeseen implications on general fund budget proposals be noted.

11.  That the feedback from the public budget consultation exercise be noted.

12.  That the delivery of the Fairer Future Council Plan commitments included in this budget be noted.

13.  That this report is to be considered by the overview and scrutiny committee on 2 February 2015 and that any recommendations arising which are agreed by cabinet will be incorporated into the final report to cabinet on 10 February 2015 for recommendation to council assembly on 25 February 2015 be noted.

NOTE: In accordance with overview and scrutiny procedure rule 23.1(a) (budget and policy framework) these decisions are not subject to call-in.