Decision details

Transformation Programme and Revenue Budget 2013- 2015

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: Yes

Is subject to call in?: No

Purpose:

Transformation Programme and Revenue Budget 2012 - 2015. To consider options presented by the Strategic Budget Review and Transformation Programme

Decisions:

Further to Minute No. 94 of the meeting held on 31 January 2013, the Cabinet considered the report of the Head of Transformation Services and Head of Finance and ICT which provided an update on the outcome of consultation on options previously approved for consultation, set out recommendations on what should now be included in the final two year Budget Plan and identified further new budget options and assumptions for consideration and consultation.

 

The report also provided an update on the outcome of consultation with residents on a number of options previously approved for consultation on an increase in the Council Tax.  No new options were presented in the report.

 

The report was arranged in a number of parts with the associated annex as indicated below:

 

 

Annex

Part 1

Background

 

Part 2

Consultation and Engagement

 

Part 3

Options previously approved for Consultation

A

Part 4

Risk

 

Part 5

Next Steps & Conclusion

 

 

 

The Chief Executive indicated that the resolutions arising from the report would form the basis of the report to Budget Council meeting on 28 February 2013 which would enable the Council to set its budget and the two year plan.  She requested the Cabinet to take into account amongst other things the consultation and engagement activity to date and the impact and risk associated with each option.

 

Councillor Hardy referred to the revised operational arrangements for the public conveniences service set out in the report which had been amended as as a result of the outcome of consultation.

 

This was a Key Decision and was included in the Council’s Forward Plan of Key Decisions.

 

Decisions Made:  That

 

Part 1 Background

 (1)      it be noted that figures and phasing in the annex to the report are working assumptions of options to be considered and the figures should not be seen as predetermining any decisions. Some of these options remain subject to consultation, engagement and Public Sector Equality Duty  assessment, and any figures indicated were being used to facilitate outline budgetary forecasting only;

 

Part 2 Consultation & Engagement

 

(2)       it be noted that the feedback on Consultation and Engagement set out in Part 2 of the report including the outcomes of the consultation with residents on Council Tax, had been taken into account;

 

Part 3 Options previously approved for consultation

 

Public Sector Equality Duty

 

(3)       it be noted that the detail within the equality analysis report, the consultation feedback and the mitigating actions within each option set out in the report had been taken into account;

 

Annex A

 

(4)       the Council be recommended to give approval to the following actions being taken on the options in Annex A of the report and Officers be authorised to prepare for implementation immediately pending final decisions of Council including the issue of relevant statutory and contractual notification, if appropriate to achieve change.

 

 

Ref

Option

Recommended Action

D1.23

Aiming High – Review of Integrated Short Breaks

 

 

·         note that this option can now be delivered through improved ways of working and more efficient procurement of supplies and services and will no longer require consultation

·         Budget reduction of £55k

 

D1.24

Cleansing – cease provision of free plastic sacks excluding those premises which are currently identified as ‘difficult to access’

·         agree to cease provision of free plastic sacks excluding those premises which are currently identified as ‘difficult to access’

·         to consider, note and agree the contents of the consultation report

·         Budget reduction of £60k

 

D1.32

Increase the charge for pay-to-use facilities and where feasible introduce a charge for use at all public convenience facilities.

·         to consider increasing the charge for pay-to-use facilities and where feasible introduce a charge for use at all public convenience facilities

·         consider a reduction in the current portfolio of facilities provided

·          to commit to the ongoing provision of facilities for the sole use of Arriva staff

·          to consider reducing the budget for repair maintenance and vandalism on the understanding that should any significant work be necessary this may result in the closure of a facility due to a lack of funding.

·         to consider and note the brief overview from consultation and agree to a full report being presented to Council

·         recommend to Council a budget reduction of £40k based on the details stated above as an alternative to closure

 

D1.33

Cleansing – reorganisation of the workload and work patterns of the Rapid Response Service

·         note the reduced standards of service that will occur should this budget reduction be agreed

·         Budget reduction of £75k

 

 

D1.25

Re-finance the Mersey Forest subscription to make a saving on the revenue budget; accept voluntary reduction in working hours from two staff; and make further savings in supplies and services
  • the costs and budgets in the Economy & Tourism Division be re-aligned
  • the voluntary reduction in hours be noted
  • to consider, and note the consultation information
  • Budget reduction of £51k

 

D1.27

Corporate Commissioning and Neighbourhood Coordination (CCNC) Service – rationalise service

·         to effect any change (subject to any required employee/ Trade Union consultation) as necessary through Human Resource procedures that may involve VR/VER

·         to note the contents of the consultation report

·         to note the contents of the Impact Assessment

·         Budget planning assumed reduction of £200k

D1.34

Further deferment in the re-instatement of Highway Management funding

·         Budget reduction of £800k for the purposes of budget planning

 

Part 4 Risk

 

(5)       it be noted that the risks and mitigating actions outlined in Annex A  of the report had been taken into account; and

 

(6)       the budget savings options approved by the Cabinet  on  31 January 2013  and the budget options set out in resolution (5) above be iincorporated into the budget to be recommended to the

Overview & Scrutiny Committee (Performance & Corporate Services) on 19 February 2013 and Council on 28 February 2013.

 

Reasons for Decisions:

 

The recommendations in the report would bring the Council closer to agreeing the 2013/14 budget and a two year budget plan.

 

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

 

Any new options identified by Members, Officers, public or partners will be assessed for feasibility and financial implications and will be reported to future meetings as appropriate.

 

Report author: Jan McMahon

Publication date: 20/02/2013

Date of decision: 14/02/2013

Decided at meeting: 14/02/2013 - Cabinet

Accompanying Documents: