Issue - meetings

Background:

This report introduced the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy for 2017 -2022. The report made forward projections concerning the Council’s budget requirement and the resources available to deliver its corporate priorities and objectives included within the Council Plan.

The report articulated the financial challenges facing the Council over the next 4 years and the Council’s strategy for delivering a balanced budget in the context of a reducing resource base. It noted that opportunities would be afforded through digitalisation, new operating models and over the longer term devolution of power to local authorities and local autonomy over taxation.

The report set out the timetable for the Medium Term Financial Strategy and budget setting and it was noted that business and service planning would run concurrently.

It also provided a framework for the more detailed preparation of the draft Revenue Budget for 2018/19.

Diversity Impact Assessments would be undertaken and reported to Members as part of the budget and service planning process.

Reasons:

The accompanying Medium Term Financial Strategy is important in providing the framework underpinning the budget setting process and in order to ensure that the Council meets the timetable set out within the Constitution.