The Cabinet considered the report on the Head of Corporate Support which provided details ofthe progress in the achievement of the approved savings for 2015/16 (and any residual savings carried forward from 2014/15); other financial risks elsewhere in the budget; the forecast on Council Tax and Business Rates collection; an update on the Government announcement of future years finance settlements; and the Council’s potential financial impact (and proposed response to the Department of Health on the “Public Health grant allocation formula for 2016/17”.
Decision Made: That:
(1) the progress to date on the achievement of approved savings for 2015/16 and residual savings carried forward from previous years be noted;
(2) the wider financial pressures being experienced in the remainder of the Budget be noted;
(3) the forecast position on the collection of Council Tax and Business Rates be noted;
(4) the update on future years finance settlements as outlined in paragraph 7 of the report be noted; and
(5) the proposed response to the Department of Health regarding the Council’s significant concerns with the “Public Health grant allocation for 2015/16 and 2016/17”, as set out in paragraph 8 of the report be approved and the Cabinet Member - Health and Wellbeing be granted delegated authority to agree the final response.
Reasons for Decision:
To ensure Cabinet are informed of the latest position on the achievement of savings for the current financial year and to identify wider budget pressures being experienced elsewhere in the budget. To provide an update on the forecast outturn position on the collection of Council Tax and Business Rates.An update on the announcement of future years Government finance settlements and the implications for the Budget timetable
Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:
None