Agenda item

Report of the Assistant Director Resources

The Assistant Director – Resources submitted a report (previously circulated) which invited members to discuss and give consideration to the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) for 2025/26 to 2028/29 with particular emphasis on those services and finances within the MTFP which specifically related to the areas within their remit and forward views to a special meeting the Economy and Resources Scrutiny Committee.

It was noted that since the MTFP had been published for consultation that the council had received notification of the draft financial settlement for 2025/26 which the Assistant Director Resources briefed the committee on the headline changes. It was also highlighted that the provisional Local Government Finance Settlement (LGFS) has been received in late December 2024, covering the 2025/26 period only.

In summary we noted that positive progress is being made overall with additional funding, however, there remains a significant annual funding deficit.

Questions were raised which included as to whether a breakdown of spending for individual services is available with the response that further information to that displayed in appendix 1 can be provided if members contact officers with their specific requests.

It was also asked as to whether updated figures will be included in the MTFP as they become available, with officers confirming that the most up-to-date version of the plan will be provided for Cabinet in February and for the Special Meeting of the Council on 20 February 2025.

Discussions were held in which members credited officers within Children’s Services for their positive work in reducing costs by bringing services in-house and reducing the number of external placements.

RESOLVED - The MTFP was considered and members agreed to:

(a)       Forward any further comments to the Chair prior to the Special Meeting of the Economy and Resources Scrutiny Committee on 20 January 2025.

(b)       That authority be given to the Chair, in consultation with the Lead Scrutiny Officers, to agree the Minutes of this meeting prior to their inclusion in the Special Meeting of the Economy and Resources Scrutiny Committee on 20 January 2025.