Issue - meetings

Report of the Head of Corporate Resources

Further to Minute No. 29 of the Cabinet meeting held on 1 September 2016, the Council considered the report of the Head of Corporate Resources which provided details of the Government’s offer of a four year financial settlement up to 2019/20.

It was moved by Councillor Maher, seconded by Councillor Fairclough and

RESOLVED:

That the four-year funding settlement for the period 2016/17 to 2019/20be accepted and that the production of an appropriate efficiency plan be delegated to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Head of Corporate Resources as the Chief Financial Officer (Section 151 Officer).

Report of the Head of Corporate Resources

The Cabinet considered the report of the Head of Corporate Resources which provided details of the Government’s offer of a four year financial settlement up to 2019/20 and indicated that should the Authority wish to accept the offer, an efficiency plan for the period would need to be prepared and approved by Council.

Decision Made: That

(1)       it be noted that the Council needs to formally accept the proposed four-year financial settlement by 14 October 2016; and

(2)       the Council be recommended to accept the four-year settlement and that the production of an appropriate efficiency plan be delegated to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Head of Corporate Resources as the Chief Financial Officer (s151 Officer).

Reasons for Decision:

To ensure the Cabinet is informed of the four year financial settlement offer and to consider whether it wishes to recommend acceptance of the offer to Council.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

The offer of a four year settlement could be rejected. However, this would create a significant amount of financial uncertainty as to the available resources that the Council would have to balance the budget for the period from 2017/18 – 2019/20.