Issue - meetings

To note issues associated with the policy and resources strategy and agree recommendations.

It was not possible to circulate this report five clear days in advance of the meeting. The chair agreed to accept the report as urgent as the council were committed to publishing budget proposals at the earliest possible opportunity to ensure that they were available to the public for comments and questions. The report needed to be considered by cabinet prior to presentation of budget figures to cabinet on 6 February and to council assembly on 21 February.  Also, under the council’s constitution, there is a requirement for the overview and scrutiny committee to review and challenge budget proposals and this was due to take place on 29 January 2018.

RESOLVED:

1.  That it be noted that the provisional settlement was received on 19 December 2017 and that the key headlines are set out in the report (paragraphs 36-38 of the report).

2.  That it be noted that the provisional settlement includes an increase to the council tax referendum threshold from 2% to 3%; this is in recognition of social care and inflationary pressures.

3.  That it be noted that no changes were made to the adult social care precept arrangements, which remain at a maximum of 3% in 2018-19.

4.  That it be noted that the section 151 officer has proposed to increase the Southwark element of the council tax in line with the government threshold by 2.99% in recognition of the spending pressures in services which protect and support vulnerable children and families; council tax increase will continue to remain below consumer price index (CPI) (paragraphs 56-59 of the report).

5.  That it be noted that this budget also proposes to use the full flexibility offered by the government to support social care through an increase in the adult social care precept, equivalent to 3% of council tax, on the basis that these additional funds will be used exclusively for adult social care (ASC)  (paragraphs 54-55 of the report).

6.  That the budget options proposed to achieve a balanced budget 2018-19, including new commitments, savings, efficiencies and income generation. (Appendices C to F of the report) be noted.

7.  That it be noted that the current proposed budget options include an increase in the children’s and adults’ services budgets of £17.1m, funded in part by £12.584m Better Care Fund and the £2.9m increase in the ASC precept which has been passported fully to adult social care.

8.  That it be noted that the general fund budget proposals for 2018-19 contained within the report have been updated post settlement as follows:

·  Revenue Support Grant (RSG) has been replaced by business rate baseline funding with the implementation of the London Business Rate pooling pilot in 2018-19 (paragraphs 39,65 of the report)

·  Resources arising from the provisional settlement on 19 December (Appendix A of the report) have reduced by £12.19m from 2017-18 (excluding Better Care Fund)

·  Improved Better Care Fund resources totalling £12.584m (including the supplementary allocation of £4.497m announced in the  spring 2016 budget)

·  Retained business rates growth of £20.996m  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8