Issue - meetings

Council assembly to debate the recommendations of the cabinet held on 7 February 2017 for a general fund budget for 2017/18.

To consider issues relating to the policy and resources strategy 2017-18.

The report had not been circulated five clear days in advance of the meeting. The chair agreed to accept this item as urgent because the council were committed to publishing budget proposals at the earliest possible opportunity to ensure they are available to the public for comments and questions. Presenting this report to cabinet on 24 January 2017 gives the opportunity for debate prior to presentation of final budget figures to cabinet on 7 February 2017. Under the council’s constitution there is a requirement for the overview and scrutiny committee to review and challenge budget proposals and this is due to take place on 30 January 2017.

RESOLVED:

1.  That it be noted that the provisional settlement was received on 15 December, and is reflected in the revised 2017-18 draft budget presented at Appendix A of the report. 

2.  That it be noted that the key elements for the council arising from the provisional settlement included:

·  Settlement Funding Assessment (SFA), updated to include the confirmed Revenue Support Grant (£57.79m) and Business Rate Baseline Funding levels (£108.21m)

·  Confirmed new homes bonus for 2017-18 of £13.053m representing an overall reduction of £2.0m on 2016-17 budgeted funding levels (paragraph 43 of the report )

·  Powers to bring forward the timing of the adult social care precept (paragraph 53 of the report)

·  A one year only Adult Social Care grant of £1.577m for 2017-18 (paragraph 47 of the report), funded by the government through a further reduction in new homes bonus

·  Confirmed improved better care fund in 2017-18 of £1.658m m payable directly to the council and indications of increased funding in 2018-19 and 2019-20 (paragraph 51 of the report)

·  Confirmed Public Health Grant for 2017-18 of £28.194m which is a reduction of £0.69m from 2016-17.

3.  That the risk transfer of retained business rate funding to local authorities (paragraph 39 of the report) be noted.

4.  That the impact on school funding grants, specifically the cessation of the Education Support Grant (paragraph 69 of the report) be noted.

5.  That the continued uncertainties especially regarding adult social care and children’s services cost and demand pressures for 2017-18 and beyond and also ongoing funding risks and uncertainties relating particularly to the new Adult Social Care Grant, New Homes Bonus, Public Health Grant and risks of retained Business Rates, be noted.

6.  That the current budget deficit for 2017-18 of £1.822m, reduced from £2.6m on 13 December 2016, and £8.1m presented on 1 November 2016, after the incorporation of a number of budget proposals and updated information following the provisional settlement, be noted.

7.  That it be noted that the general fund budget proposals for 2017-18 contained within the report include:

·  grant resources arising from the provisional settlement on 15 December (Appendix A of the report)

·  Estimated resources for the Autumn Statement Grant

·  An assumed increase in Council Tax of 1.99%, below the cap of 2% laid down by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG);

·  An assumed increase in the Adult  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14