Decision details

The report to Cabinet forms part of the Council’s formal Budget and Policy Framework. This requires the Cabinet to initiate and proposed service proposals and updated assumptions to set a balanced and sustainable budget for the financial years 2020/21 – 2022/23. These is a legal requirement to set a balanced budget for 2020/21/ The purpose of this report is to:

·         Recommend that Cabinet approve the Tranche One service proposals; 

·         Recommend that Cabinet approve the budget assumptions to update the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS), to ensure estimates reflect the most up to date information available; 

·         Outline the financial challenges facing the council in setting a sustainable and balanced budget for MTFS 2020/21-2022/23; 

·         Outline the strategic approach the Council is taking to close the budget gap over the three year budget planning horizon to deliver a sustainable budget; 

Proposals will be agreed by Cabinet at this meeting, on 4 November 2019 and then will be recommended to Council on 18 December 2019 for approval.  

Cabinet considered the report and RESOLVED to approve: 

1.    The Tranche One service proposals, outlined in Appendix C to the report as the basis for public consultation.  

2.    The updated budget assumptions, to be incorporated within the Medium Term Financial Strategy 2020/21 – 2022/23. These were outlined in section 5.2 and 5.3 of the report.  

3.    The additional resourcing required to deliver the outlined proposals, in order to achieve future financial benefits. These were outlined in section 5.4 (strategic approach) and section 6 (reserves) of the report.  

4.    The revised capital programme outlined in section 5.5 of the report and referencing Appendix B to the report. 

5.    The Medium Term Financial Strategy 2020/21 – 2022/23-Tranche One, as set out in the body of the report and the following appendices to the report:  

·         Appendix A – 2020/21 – 2022/23 MTFS Detailed Budget Position – Tranche One  

·         Appendix B – Capital Programme Schemes 2020/21- 2024/25  

·         Appendix C – Budget Consultation Document, including Tranche One Budget Proposal detail  

·         Appendix D – Equality Impact Assessments  

·         Appendix E – Carbon Impact Assessments- draft  

Cabinet RESOLVED to note:  

6.    The future strategic direction for the Council outlined in section 5.4 of the report.  

7.    The forecast reserves position, outlined within section 6 of the report. 

The Council must set a lawful and balanced budget. The approach outlined in this report work towards this requirement. 

No alternative option has been considered as the Cabinet is responsible under the constitution for initiating budget proposals and the Council is statutorily obliged to set a lawful and balanced budget by 11 March annually. 

None.

Budget Book 2019/20-2021/22 

Budget Monitoring Report- Final Outturn 2018/19 (item 14) 

Budgetary Control Report- April 2019- 17 June Cabinet (item 13) 

Budgetary Control Report- May 2019- 15 July Cabinet (item 7) 

Budget Process Report- Council 24 July 2019 

Budget Process Report Appendix- Council 24 July  

Budgetary Control Report- June 2019- 23 September Cabinet (item 9) 

Budgetary Control Report- September 2019- 4 November Cabinet