Agenda item

To consider recommendations relating to the policy and resources strategy 2021-22.

It was not possible to circulate this report five clear days in advance of the meeting. The chair agreed to accept this item 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 24 February 2021.  The council was required to set a lawful budget by 11 March 2021.

Councillor Ian Wingfield, chair of the overview and scrutiny presented the committee’s recommendations to cabinet.

RESOLVED:

1.  That it be noted that the 19 January 2021 cabinet report was considered by overview and scrutiny committee on 25 and 26 January 2021 and that the response to the recommendations arising  be agreed (Appendix I of the report).

2.  That it be noted the final local government finance settlement had not been published at the time of writing this report, no changes from the provisional settlement published on 17 December 2020 are anticipated.

3.  That it be noted that the report presents the final balanced general fund budget proposals for 2021-22 including:

·  Efficiencies and improved use of resources savings of £12.175m

·  Income generation proposals of £0.446m

·  Savings impacting on services of £2.611m

·  Commitments and growth of £16.757m

·  Pay awards and contractual inflation of £4.200m (excluding children’s and adults services).

4.  That this balanced one year 2021-22 budget be submitted to council assembly for approval and

5.  That it be noted that a refreshed outlook of the financial position and local government financing will be considered in the spring to initiate the 2022-23 budget planning process, which is much earlier than previous years.

6.  That the following be removed from the schedule (at Appendix F of the report, public health budget proposals):  “PH306  Long acting reversible contraception GP service - end funding for GP LARC service.”

NOTE: In accordance with overview and scrutiny procedure rule 16.2 (a) (budget and policy framework) these decisions are not subject to call-in.