Issue - meetings

The Committee considered a report which detailed the likely impact on service delivery and quality of 5%, 10% and 15% reductions in base budget following the next financial settlement from central government.

Mr. Mark Kay, Business Manager, Worcestershire Regulatory Services (WRS) introduced the report and in doing so informed the Committee that WRS, under its business case, had been tasked to deliver savings of 17.25% and had to date delivered savings of 22.57%.  It was agreed at the Management Board meeting on 30th August 2012 that licensing would not be included in any calculated savings as licensing must, by law, be self financing and partners were not able to make a profit without running the risk of formal challenge through the court system.  In undertaking this work it had become apparent that rather than focus on cuts there was an opportunity to grow the business in such a way that any income could be used to offset the base budget.     

A brief discussion followed on Appendix E to the report.  Members agreed that officers should look at opportunities to grow the business rather than focus on cuts.

Councillor D. Thain informed the Committee that he had recently attended the WRS away day and had been impressed with the service offered and felt that it gave an indication of the quality of service provided, he agreed with officers being innovative with the focus on marketing services and not reducing services.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.