Agenda item

To consider the policy and resources strategy 2016/17 – 2018/19 and recommendations arising.

This item had not been circulated five clear days in advance of the meeting. The chair agreed to accept the item as urgent as the council were committed to publishing the budget proposals at the earliest opportunity to ensure that they were available to the public for comments and questions. Under the council’s constitution there is a requirement for overview and scrutiny committee to review challenge budget proposals. This took place on 2 February 2016 and recommendations arising from this meeting were included in paragraphs 101 to 102 of the report. Additionally recommendations arising from a meeting of the overview and scrutiny committee that took place on 8 February 2016 were also circulated at the cabinet meeting.

RESOLVED:

1.  That the provisional settlement that was announced by the Secretary of State on 17 December 2015 and the final settlement to be confirmed on 8 February, 2016 after completion of this report, be noted.

2.  That it be noted that this report continues to be based on the provisional settlement announcement which is for four years with the final three years being indicative and that this settlement is subject to the council's making a commitment to efficiency.

3.  That the key issues for Southwark arising from the provisional settlement reported to cabinet on 26 January 2016 (Appendix H of the report) be noted.

4.  That the recommendations of the meeting of the overview and scrutiny committee be welcomed with cabinet responding by the following being agreed:

·  To take forward the recommendation to reopen the enhanced voluntary redundancy scheme and bring forward a report to the March cabinet

·  To bring a reprofile of a number of efficiency savings into 2016/17

·  To reconsider the remaining recommendations as work commences on the 2017/18 budget.

5.  That the feedback to date from the continuing public budget consultation exercise be noted.

6.  That it be noted that the budget proposal contained within the report for 2016/17 will need to be balanced in advance of council tax setting at council assembly on 24 February 2016.

7.  That subject to the final settlement announcement, the budget gap for 2016/17 is £400,000 be noted.

8.  That the indicative budget proposals for 2017/18 and 2018/19 and the remaining gaps of £1.2m and £5.3m respectively, subject to the final settlement announcement and future uncertain pressures be noted.

9.  That it be noted that it is assumed that balances will continue to be released as planned and contingency maintained over the next three years in order to mitigate the risks of the reduction in government funding, the consequent savings programme and other uncertain pressures.

10.  That the intention to freeze council tax for a further year in 2016/17, subject to review in later years, be noted.

11.  That the intention to accept the government's offer to raise a 2% adult social care precept in 2016/17 and beyond be noted.

12.  That the continuing progress on the completion of equalities analysis for each budget proposal, provided as a background paper to this report, be noted, and  that equality analysis will continue through the cycle of planning and implementation of these budget proposals.

13.  That it be agreed to accelerate a number of customer experience and modernisation efficiency savings as set out (document circulated at cabinet) to deliver a balanced budget based on a nil council tax increase for 2016/17 for recommendation to council assembly on 24 February 2016. The budget schedules are set out in Appendices A to G subject to the amendment to Appendix D circulated at cabinet.

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