Decision details

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Whitehead)

Cabinet received a report from the Chief Officer (Resources) which sought approval for the 2017/21 budget strategy and timetable, and provided an update on the Council’s financial position to help inform development of Cabinet’s planning and budget proposals.

In term of the actual budget position, the report was primarily for information, to assist Cabinet in its budget deliberations.  No specific decisions were sought at this time.

Regarding the budget strategy and timetable, Cabinet may approve the proposals as set out in the report, or require changes to be made to the suggested approach.  The overriding aim of any budget setting process is to approve a balanced budget by statutory deadlines, allocating resources to help ensure delivery of the Council’s corporate and service objectives.  The proposed approach is in line with that broad aim, drawing on the time and other resources available to the Council, to help ensure a robust approach.  Any changes that Cabinet puts forward should also be framed in that context.

The Council remains well placed to address future financial challenges, but the scale of those challenges will be influenced by forthcoming Government announcements and future policy.  Budget work has progressed well to date, and the outlook for next year means that the Council has time to focus on more strategic planning and its future direction ahead of the 2018/19 budget, and reassessing its resource needs accordingly.

Councillor Whitehead proposed, seconded by Councillor Leytham:-

“That the recommendations, as set out in the report, be approved.”

Councillors then voted:-

Resolved unanimously:

(1)          That Cabinet approves the budget strategy and timetable as summarised in Appendices A and B to the report.

(2)          That the draft budgetary position for current and future years be noted, accepting that this is an interim update, but taking account of Government’s confirmation of the 4-year Settlement up to 2019/20.

(3)          That for the next Cabinet meeting in January, Cabinet determines its initial draft budget proposals for 2017/18 onwards, drawing on information from this report, any budget options currently being developed by Officers, and Government’s announcements regarding the Spending Review and the Settlement.

Officer responsible for effecting the decision:

Chief Officer (Resources)

Reasons for making the decision:

Draft budget proposals will be considered by Cabinet on 17^th January and presented to the Budget and Performance Panel on 24^th January 2017.