Issue - meetings

FSD 16009

The Committee considered the Draft 2016/17 Budget report written by the Head of Finance.

The aim of the report was to consider the Portfolio Holder’s Draft 2016/17 Budget which anticipated future cost pressures and initial draft budget saving options.  Members were requested to consider the initial draft budget savings proposed and to identify any further action that might be taken to reduce cost pressures facing the Council over the next four years.

The Executive were requesting that each PDS Committee consider the proposed initial draft budget savings and cost pressures for their Portfolio, and the views of each PDS Committee be reported back to the next meeting of the Executive. The Executive would subsequently make recommendations to Council on 2016/17 Council Tax levels.

The Committee noted from the report that additional details concerning funding was anticipated, and so caution was to be exercised in considering future projections. The Committee identified that a significant issue that would impact on local government funding from central government was the planned reductions to the DCLG Resource Departmental Expenditure Limits.

To compensate for significant funding cuts to local government, the Government had introduced new flexibilities such as increased revenue from business rates, the adult social care council tax precept, and the ongoing ability to raise council tax.

The Committee were directed to the table on page 51 of the agenda, dealing with “Variations Compared with the 2015/16 Budget”. The table outlined various sources of cost pressure, as well as projected income and savings. The Committee were concerned that despite concerted efforts to generate income and make savings, there was a projected budget gap in 2019/20 of £26.7m.

The Committee noted Appendix 1A which was the draft revenue budget 2016/17 for the Public Protection & Safety Portfolio. It was noted that the 2016/17 draft budget for the Portfolio was £2,016,420.

RESOLVED that the initial draft 2016/17 budget be agreed as the basis for setting the 2016/17 budget.