To approve the 2021/22 budget and associated medium term financial strategy and treasury management strategy.

Council considered a report from the Leader to set the 2021/22 budget.

The cabinet member finance and corporate services introduced and moved the budget and explained that the budget reflected the challenges presented by the COVID pandemic. The budget needed to plan for an uplift in service delivery and a reduction in income; it proposed the largest savings programme to be undertaken at the council. Pressures involved in the delivery of adults social care services had informed the decision to propose a precept of 4.99% including 3% in respect of adult social care. A wide-ranging consultation had been undertaken and support had been expressed to increase council tax to support the provision of local services.

The Leader seconded the budget and explained the significant increases to the base budgets for adults’ and children’s services. The council tax increase was proposed reluctantly at what was a difficult time but the increase would allow for: the expansion of the tax base; an increase in support for people unable to pay council tax; and the council to take advantage of government grants. The budget that was proposed was a balance between savings, the preservation of services and a council tax increase.

Councillor Jonathan Lester expressed concern regarding the deliverability of the savings proposals and acknowledged the strain on resources due to the COVID pandemic. The precept increase was not supported and an amendment would be considered to reduce the level of the adult social care precept by using the New Homes Bonus.

Councillor John Hardwick explained that the budget supported the County Plan and if the precept of 4.99% was not agreed it would be difficult to access additional funding from government. The consultation had engaged with stakeholders, parish councils and the scrutiny committees.

Councillor Alan Seldon explained that the savings proposed were part of a high level of savings across the public sector and the additional pressures posed by adults’ and children’s services were significant and could impact upon the delivery of other core services.

Councillor Terry James explained that the proposed increase in the rate of council tax was too high and would have an adverse impact upon local residents who were just outside the thresholds for the council tax reduction scheme. Reserves should be used in place of the proposed increase to the precept.

Councillor Ellie Chowns explained that the council was facing significant increase in the level of demand for services. Savings and the precept increase would meet the cost of this demand whilst support for people who were struggling and unable to afford the council tax was in place.

Councillor Bob Matthews explained that the precept increase would affect rural communities with greater levels of poverty. Parish councils were expected to provide more services and there was concern about reduced street lighting levels.

In the discussion that followed the principal points below were raised:

·         The precept would impact on local residents who were financially insecure;

·         The increasing cost of adult social care;

·         The work of the Adults’ and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 45

To agree the draft 2021/22 budget and associated medium term financial strategy and treasury management strategy for recommendation to Council on 12 February.

The cabinet member finance and corporate services introduced the report. The unexpected challenges presented by 2020 were highlighted and it was noted that the pandemic had resulted in an uplift to service delivery costs and a loss of income to the council. Government support had been received which meant that with a council tax increase of 4.99% operational savings of just over £11m were required. Details of proposed savings were set out in the report and were felt to be challenging but deliverable.

Cabinet members noted that:

·        the priorities had been influenced by public and stakeholder consultation;

·        responses to the recommendations made by the scrutiny committees were set out in the report;

·        difficult choices had had to be made and a great deal of work had gone into the final budget proposals;

·        the Section 151 officer was satisfied that the position set out in the report represented a legal, balanced budget;

·        there was continued pressure on adult social care services;

·        the ‘till receipt’ showed how much was spent on those essential services that most residents would not see;

·        support from central government to meet mounting pressures was important.

The pressures in the children and families directorate were discussed and the improvement work that was taking place was recognised. The cabinet member children and families reported that 9 out of 10 councils were expecting to overspend on their children’s services departments. 

The chairpersons of the scrutiny committees commented on the points raised and recommendations made by their respective committees.

The adults and wellbeing scrutiny committee had met for a second time to consider alternative savings proposals for the adults’ directorate and were satisfied with the principle of the proposed changes.

The children and young people scrutiny committee recognised the progress achieved over the previous couple of years. The chair of the committee highlighted that the information given at the scrutiny meeting regarding the recruitment of foster carers was confusing and had it been made clear that the figure of 30 per year included replacements for the average 13 carers who left each year the recommendation put forward might not have been made. The director for children and families apologies for any lack of clarity and undertook to provide a written response which could be shared with the members of the scrutiny committee.

The general scrutiny committee had expressed doubts that reducing the hours at the waste facilities was feasible as there were reports that the booking system had deterred some people from using the facilities. The cabinet member commissioning, procurement and assets commented that a great deal of positive feedback had been received from residents and staff regarding the booking system.

Group leaders were invited to present the views and queries from their respective groups. It was noted that:

·        these were difficult times to be creating a budget;

·        there was no current freeze on recruitment but managers were asked to consider all options when a vacancy arose;

·        details of the precepts to be set by the police and fire authorities had  ...  view the full minutes text for item 68