The Cabinet considered the report of the Chief Finance Officer which provided details of 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 Government’s invitation to the Liverpool City Region to be included in a pilot for the implementation of the 100% Business Rates Retention Scheme; the forecast on Council Tax and Business Rates collection; and the process for determining Adult Social Care fees 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) it be noted that the Council, together with the other authorities in the Liverpool City Region had agreed to work with the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) to participate in and to develop the details of the approaches to be piloted as part of the review of the 100% Business Rates Retention Scheme;
(4) the forecast position on the collection of Council Tax and Business Rates be noted; and
(5) With regard to Adult Social Care fees for 2016/17:
(a) Officers be authorised to conduct consultation with providers’ regarding fees for 2016/17;
(b) the Cabinet Member – Adult Social Care be granted delegated authority to make any post-consultation decisions regarding future fees in conjunction with the Head of Adult Social Care and the Head of Corporate Resources, within the resources available in the 2016/17 Budget; and
(c) Officers report back to Cabinet if it is found that any potential decisions regarding fees are beyond the resources available.
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 inform Cabinet of the offer from the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) to the Liverpool City Region to participate and develop approaches to be piloted as part of the review of the 100% Business Rate Retention Scheme. To provide an update on the forecast outturn position on the collection of Council Tax and Business Rates, and to agree the process for determining Adult Social Care fees for 2016/17.
Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:
None.