Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

To be apprised of any changes to the membership of the Committee in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 4.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 4, the Committee noted the termination of Councillor Y Gagen and the appointment of Councillor J Finch for this meeting only, thereby giving effect to the wishes of the Political Groups.

Note, no other business is permitted unless, by reason of special circumstances, which shall be specified at the meeting, the Chairman is of the opinion that the item(s) should be considered as a matter of urgency.

There were no urgent items of business.

If a Member requires advice on Declarations of Interest, he/she is advised to contact the Legal and Democratic Services Manager in advance of the meeting.   (For the assistance of members a checklist for use in considering their position on any particular item is included at the end of this agenda sheet).

There were no declarations of interests.

To approve as a correct record, the minutes of the Committee held on Tuesday 1 November 2022.

RESOLVED:   That the minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 1 November 2022, be received as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To consider the report of the Head of Finance, Procurement & Commercial Services.  

Consideration was given to the report of the Head of Finance, Procurement & Commercial Services, as contained on pages 83 to 102 of the Book of  Reports, which presented the updated Medium-Term Financial Forecast (MTFF) for 2023/24 to 2025/26 and the latest forecast budget gap for the three years of £1.505m, comprising £0m in 2023/24; £0.751m in 2024/25; and £1.504m in 2025/26, and set out the reserves position as at 31 March 2022 and forecast to 2025/26, including the annual budget setting process for 2023/24.

The Committee was advised that:

·       Pension fund in a favourable situation

·       NNDR Base

·       Funding settlement not received yet

·       the officer's budget growth bids were still being looked at and that proposals would be considered in January 2023.

Comments and questions were raised in respect of the following:

·       Discussions in relation to savings/revenue generation

·       Insurance reserve figures

·       Centralising operational budgets

·       Shared services examples

·       Fees & charges

·       Review of carparking 2023/24 financial year

·       Collaborative working

·       That the focus is to retain current services

·       Council Tax increase

·       Social responsibility

The Chairman advised that the matter raised at the last meeting in respect of the ability to spread Council Tax payments over a 12-month period was available to residents.

RESOLVED:   A.     That the latest Medium-Term Financial Forecast (MTFF) for 2023/24 to 2025/26 be noted.

B.     That the latest reserves position as at 31 March 2022 and forecast to 2025/26, be noted.

C.     That the annual budget setting process for 2023/24 be noted.

D.     That it be noted that insurance figures would be circulated to Members of the Committee when they became available.

E.     That an item be included on a future agenda in relation to Shared Service options that have been or are being considered. 

F.     That a list of fees and charges be considered at the next meeting of the Committee for consideration.

To consider and note the Committee Work Programme 2023.

Consideration was given to the Committee's 2023 Work Programme as set out on page 81 of the Book of Reports.

RESOLVED:   That the Committee Work Programme 2023 be agreed.