Agenda item

This report presents an update on progress towards setting the Council’s draft capital and revenue budgets for 2020/21. In accordance with the Constitution, Cabinet is required to develop ‘initial budget proposals’ approximately three months before finalising the budget and setting council tax levels at the end of February 2021. The draft budget is based on the principles contained in the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) 2021-2023 considered by the Cabinet on 17 November.

Discussion:

The Committee considered a report presenting an update on progress towards setting the Council’s draft capital and revenue budgets for 2020/21, and raised the following questions and comments:

• Potential redundancies – Concern was raised regarding the possibility of redundancies as a result of the budget proposals. The Chief Finance Officer responded that he was not aware of any measures underpinning the proposals contained within the Cabinet report that would require redundancies.

• Fees and charges – Concern was raised regarding the proposal to increase crematorium fees from £480 to £710, given the increase in demand for the service during the pandemic. The Chief Finance Officer confirmed that this proposal was being reconsidered.

Decision:

a)   The Committee noted that Cabinet has instructed officers to continue to work with Portfolio Holders in formulating robust proposals to balance the budget for 2021/22 and beyond.

b)     The Committee was supportive of the proposals outlined in the draft capital and revenue budgets in so far as they related to the services within the remit of this committee, and also agreed to forward the comments from the individual Overview and Scrutiny Committees, as set out in Appendix 4 of the report.

(In accordance with Council Rule 12.6, Councillors Khan, Maple and Andy Stamp asked that their votes in favour be recorded).