Agenda item

To consider recommendations relating to the policy and resources strategy 2018-19 – 2020-21. 

The chair agreed to accept the report as urgent as cabinet were required to prepare a budget proposal for submission to council assembly. This was the last cabinet meeting before council assembly on 21 February 2018. The council were required to set a lawful budget by 11 March 2018.

In respect of the report (paragraphs 110-112: recommendations from overview and scrutiny committee) an updated table was circulated. This included recommendation 1 which was omitted from the report circulated on 2 February 2018.

1.  That it be noted that the recommendations were considered at cabinet on 23 January 2018, and that this report has been amended accordingly.

2.  That it be noted that the 23 January report was considered by overview and scrutiny committee on 29 January 2018 (recommendations as set out in paragraphs 110 to 112 of the report).

3.  That it be noted that as at 31 January 2018, the final local government settlement has not been received, and that the revised 2018-19 budget presented at Appendix A of the report reflects the provisional settlement, and that any changes will be reported to council assembly. 

4.  That it be noted that this report presents the final balanced general fund budget proposals for 2018-19 including:

·  Efficiencies and improved use of resources of £10.928m (Appendix C of the report)

·  Income generation proposals of £7.281m (Appendix D of the report)

·  Commitments of £32.625m (Appendix F of the report)

·  Pay Awards, assumed at 2% of £4.2m

·  Contractual inflation of £3.9m.

5.  That this balanced one year 2018-19 budget be submitted to council assembly for approval.

6.  That it be noted that under Part 3C of the constitution full cabinet is responsible for the approval of new fees and charges and agreement of charging levels in line with the medium term resources strategy, and therefore that the fees and charges be agreed and the level of those fees which cabinet is not permitted to set be noted (Appendix G, paragraphs 99-101 of the report).

7.  That it be noted that in the summer of 2018, cabinet will receive a refreshed outlook of the financial position for the council and especially with regard to local government financing for 2019-20 and beyond.

8.  That it be noted that  due to timing of council assembly and the Greater London Authority (GLA) precept setting meeting, council assembly will be asked to establish a council tax setting committee to make the formal resolution for council tax (paragraphs 113 to 116 of the report).

NOTE: In accordance with overview and scrutiny procedure rule 17.2 (a) (budget and policy framework) decisions 1-5 and 8 are not subject to call-in.