Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors D. W. P. Booth and R. L. Dent.

To invite Councillors to declare any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests or Other Disclosable Interests they may have in items on the agenda, and to confirm the nature of those interests.

There were no declarations of interest.

The minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 3rd September 2014 were submitted.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 3rd September 2014 be approved as a correct record.

The minutes of the meetings of the Overview and Scrutiny Board held on 18th August 2014 and 15th September 2014 were submitted.

Councillor M. J. A. Webb stated that as Portfolio Holder for Finance he was willing to attend meetings of the Overview and Scrutiny Board when appropriate at the invitation of the Board.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meetings of the Overview and Scrutiny Board held on  18th August 2014 and 15th September 2014 be noted.

The Executive Director, Finance and Resources gave a presentation on the proposed Budget Process 2015/16  - 2017/18, in particular the process and timetable which would enable effective scrutiny of the budget.

A number of issues were highlighted for Members to be aware of including:

·         likely further reduction in the Grant Settlement from Government;

·         changes to the welfare system i.e. Essential Living Fund, Universal Credit;

·         further cuts likely in Worcestershire County Council funding;

·         impact on the public sector of the national economy;

·         New Homes Bonus  - options being considered;

·         Parish Councils funding;

·         1% pay award assumed

·         Potential 2% Council Tax increase assumed for the present

The Executive Director, Finance and Resources reported that additional more detailed information on the Council’s Strategic Purposes and the costs across departments that sat behind them would be coming forward for Members to consider. Where there were additional pressures on budgets more detailed information would be available for Members. Where services were being re-designed the impact needed to be clear. 

The importance of improving financial monitoring and forecasting was recognised including identifying whether savings were recurring or “one-off”.

The revised budget processes were welcomed by Members.

It was

RESOLVED  that the presentation be noted.