Issue - meetings

REPORT OF THE SERVICE DIRECTOR - RESOURCES

To consider the Draft Budget 2021/22.

RECOMMENDED TO CABINET:

(1)       That the funding forecasts for 2021/22 and the significant uncertainty around Central Government funding levels in 2021/22 and beyond, and that these estimates provided could be subject to significant change, be noted;

(2)       That the comments made at the budget workshops, and comment on the

inclusion of the revenue savings and investments in the draft budget, be noted;

(3)       That the comments made at the budget workshops, and comment on the

inclusion of the capital investments in the draft budget, be noted;

(4)       That the Council Tax increases for 2021/22 will be in line with the Medium Term Financial Strategy (i.e. the maximum amount allowed without the need for a local referendum), be confirmed.

REASON FOR DECISIONS: To ensure that all relevant factors are considered in arriving at a proposed budget and Council Tax level for 2021/22, to be considered by Full Council on 11 February 2021.

The Service Director – Resources presented the Draft Budget Report 2021/22, including:

·                The main purpose of the report at the stage was to highlight the base positions and provide feedback from the budget workshops which took place in November;

·                The budget would be presented at Full Council in February 2021;

·                The comments from the workshop were captured in the report at paragraphs 8.9, 8.10 and 8.11;

·                The resultant summary position was set out in Table 3;

·                Owing to the changes made in relation to updating inflation amounts particularly regarding pay, the savings numbers had decreased from around £2.65m in the Medium Term Financial Strategy to £2.1 million. There would be a need to identify savings in future years;

·                The Income Guarantee was to be continued in the period of April to June next year; and

·                There was no commitment yet in terms of when the Government would look at future funding for Local Government which would have an impact on the Medium Term Financial Strategy in future years.

It was:

RECOMMENDED TO CABINET:

(1)       That the funding forecasts for 2021/22 and the significant uncertainty around Central Government funding levels in 2021/22 and beyond, and that these estimates provided could be subject to significant change, be noted;

(2)       That the comments made at the budget workshops, and comment on the inclusion of the revenue savings and investments in the draft budget, be noted;

(3)       That the comments made at the budget workshops, and comment on the inclusion of the capital investments in the draft budget, be noted;

(4)       That the Council Tax increases for 2021/22 will be in line with the Medium Term Financial Strategy (i.e. the maximum amount allowed without the need for a local referendum), be confirmed.

REASON FOR DECISIONS: To ensure that all relevant factors are considered in arriving at a proposed budget and Council Tax level for 2021/22, to be considered by Full Council on 11 February 2021.