Agenda item

Report of the Assistant Director Resources

The Assistant Director Resources submitted a report (previously circulated) requesting that Members give consideration to the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) for 2023/24 to 2026/27, which had been approved by Cabinet at it meeting on 13 December, as a basis for consultation.

In introducing the report, the Assistant Director Resources reminded Members of the MTFP Briefing that was delivered to Members in December outlining the overall position of the MTFP, and requested that Members of this Scrutiny Committee now consider those services and finances specifically within the remit of this Scrutiny Committee to enable a response to be formulated and forwarded to the Economy and Resources Scrutiny Committee for consideration at its meeting scheduled to be held on 19 January 2023.

The Assistant Director of Resources provided an update on the Local Government finance settlement, which had been received on 19 December 2022, subsequent to the approval of the draft MTFP by Cabinet, and advised on the impact this settlement had on the assumptions made within that approved draft MTFP.

The submitted report stated that in recognition of the significant pressures facing local authority budgets and to help partially meet the pressures faced in Adult Social Care, the proposed Council Tax and Adult Social Care Precept levels had increased for 2023/24, at 2.99 per cent and 2 per cent respectively in line with Government changes to the referendum limits.

It was reported that the Public Health and Housing Revenue Account were the two main funding streams within the remit of this Scrutiny Committee; these were both ring fenced grants; that the 2023/24 Public Health Grant allocation had not been received yet and was currently included at the 2022/23 allocation of £8.831M.

Members entered into discussion regarding scenario planning, the Local Government finance settlement and potential impact of additional monies on future funding; and following a question Members were advised that due to an additional estimated £6.3M funding from the Local Government financial settlement, a fundamental review into services was unlikely to be required in 2023/24.

RESOLVED – (a) That the Economy and Resources Scrutiny Committee be advised  that the majority view of this Scrutiny Committee is :-

        i.            That the report be noted; and

       ii.            That it be noted that whilst additional funding from the Local Government finance settlement has improved the position of the MTFP for 2023/24, Members remain concerned regarding the medium to long term and the potential requirement for a review of service provision.

(b)   That the Economy and Resources Scrutiny Committee be advised that the  minority view of this Scrutiny Committee is that the Council Tax increase of 2.99 per cent plus a 2 per cent Adult Social Care Precept, and the Schedule of Charges be accepted.

(c)    That the Members in attendance at the meeting, in consultation with the Lead Scrutiny Officers supporting this Scrutiny Committee, be given authority to agree the Minutes of this Meeting of the Committee, to enable the Minutes to be considered at a Special Meeting of the Economy and Resources Scrutiny Committee, scheduled to be held on 19 January 2023.