To consider the attached report of the Leader of the Council / Cabinet Member for Corporate Delivery / Chief Finance Officer.

Cabinet considered the report of the Chief Finance Officer which provided recommendations regarding Savings Proposals in order to meet the pre Covid-19 budget gap for 2021/22. Following the Local Government Finance Settlement 2021/22, further savings proposals will be brought forward should any be required.

Alternatives considered:

The Council is legally obliged to set a balanced revenue budget. The budget setting process is complex and must be undertaken in a planned way. Whilst budgets are prepared in accordance with the approved guidelines a number of alternative options relating to savings proposals and budget pressures are considered as part of the overall budget setting process.

Consideration has been given to a number of options in putting forward the savings proposals contained in this report and the individual reports outline any alternatives considered. To do nothing was not considered to be an option as the Council is legally required to set a balanced budget.

Cabinet Members could decide not to implement these proposals and provide alternative options to enable a balanced budget to be achieved.

Resolved:

1. That the savings proposals rated as green and amber to address the budget gap be approved for public consultation starting 4th January 2021. 

2. That the proposal to earmark £0.5m of one-off funds in contingency, which will be allocated to Adult Care Service in 2021/22 if additional demand pressures materialise be approved.

Reasons for the decision:

Cabinet members are required to recommend a balanced 2021/22 Revenue Budget to Budget Council, and provisional budgets for 2022/23 to 2023/24. The Council is required to set a balanced budget for 2021/22 by 11th March 2021.

To consider the attached report of the Leader of the Council / Cabinet Member for Corporate Delivery / Chief Finance Officer.

Cabinet considered the report of the Chief Finance Officer which provided recommendations regarding Savings Proposals in order to meet the pre Covid-19 budget gap for 2021/22. Following the Local Government Finance Settlement 2021/22, further savings proposals will be brought forward should any be required.

Alternatives considered:

The Council is legally obliged to set a balanced revenue budget. The budget setting process is complex and must be undertaken in a planned way. Whilst budgets are prepared in accordance with the approved guidelines a number of alternative options relating to savings proposals and budget pressures are considered as part of the overall budget setting process.

Consideration has been given to a number of options in putting forward the savings proposals contained in this report and the individual reports outline any alternatives considered. To do nothing was not considered to be an option as the Council is legally required to set a balanced budget.

Cabinet Members could decide not to implement these proposals and provide alternative options to enable a balanced budget to be achieved.

Resolved:

1.    That the savings proposals rated as green and amber to address the budget gap be approved for public consultation starting 4th January 2021. 

2.    That the proposal to earmark £0.5m of one-off funds in contingency, which will be allocated to Adult Care Service in 2021/22 if additional demand pressures materialise be approved.

Reasons for the decision:

Cabinet members are required to recommend a balanced 2021/22 Revenue Budget to Budget Council, and provisional budgets for 2022/23 to 2023/24. The Council is required to set a balanced budget for 2021/22 by 11th March 2021.