Issue - decisions

Further to Minute No. 64 of the meeting held on 11 October 2012, the Cabinet considered the joint report of the Head of Corporate Finance and ICT and the Head of Transformation which provided details of the progress towards the establishment of the 2013/14 – 2014/15 budget plan and the consultations processes which were being undertaken.  The report also set out a further package of budget savings proposals relating to the ‘inform consultation options’ set out in Annex B of the report.

The report contained the following annexes:

The Chief Executive reported that a consultation response had been submitted prior to the meeting from the National Allotment Society relating to Option F1.5 (Allotment Users Fees and Charges) in Annex B of the report and that the details of the response and any officer comments would be included in the report to be submitted to the Council meeting on 22 November 2012.

The Chair referred to the current budget savings of £43.7m which had to be achieved for the period 2013/14 to 2014/15 and indicated that the Government was due to announce the Local Government Settlement for 2013/14 in December 2012 and the confirmation of the external revenue support from the Government would provide greater clarity of the Council’s saving requirement for 2013/14.

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

Decision Made:

(1)       it be noted that the figures and phasing set out in the annexes to the report were working assumptions of options to be considered and the figures should not be seen as predetermining any decisions.  Many of the options would be subject to consultation and engagement, and any figures indicated were being used to facilitate outline budgetary forecasting only;

(2)       the work programme timetable contained in Annex A of the report be noted;

Annex B – Proposals – Community being informed of changes

(3)       it be noted that the relevant legislative framework, the risks and mitigating issues identified, the equality impact assessment information and the mitigating factors for each individual proposal in Annex B of the report had been taken into account;

(4)       subject to the deferral of Option F1.1 (Cars Parks), the Council at its meeting on 22 November 2012 be recommended to approve the remaining proposals set out in Annex B of the report;

Annex C – Integration Proposals

(5)       the Council at its meeting on 22 November 2012 be recommended to approve the integration options set out in Annex C of the report and mandate Officers to continue with consultation, engagement and implementation processes with partners, key stakeholders, employees and Trade Unions as appropriate with a view to achieving the agreed changes at the earliest opportunity.  (This would involve engagement in consultation as necessary, and the issuing of statutory notices to Trade Unions under Section 188 of the Trade Union Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 and to the Department of Business Innovation and Skills, as necessary.  Ultimately the implementation would lead to the termination of employee contracts due to the changes for which officers are as necessary attributed to implement at different stages).

Annex D – Further information on options previously recommended to Council

(6)       it be noted that due regard of the information contained in Annex D of the report had been taken and Officers be mandated to commence consultation and engagement processes with the community, partners, key stakeholders, employees and Trade Unions; and

(7)       the risks and mitigating actions outlined in Annex B, C and D of the report be noted.

Reasons for Decision:

The recommendations in the report, are another step in agreeing a two year budget plan.  Additional budget savings and options still need to be identified to ensure that future years’ budgets can be balanced.  It is a legal requirement to set a balanced budget and to ensure the medium term financial position is robust.

Early consideration of budget options continues to be essential as this supports informed decision making, including the consideration of the outcome of any consultations undertaken, the impact of any decisions to be made and any steps that can be taken to mitigate the impact of a decision.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

Further budget savings and options would be presented to the next Cabinet meeting to be held on 6 December 2012.