Decision details

Cabinet:

1.         Noted the progress made to date with the development of the Council’s budget for 2017/18 and of the implications for Council Tax setting, although no decisions will be taken until the February cabinet meeting.

2.         Noted that an additional 3% increase in Council Tax precept may be levied for the sole purpose of funding and improving Adult Social Care.

3.         Noted the outcome of the Autumn Budget Statement and the likely impact on local authorities.

4.         Noted the provisional local government financial settlement announcement, and that this largely confirmed the budgetary assumptions set out in the MTFS based upon the four year financial settlement.

5.         Delegated authority to the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Services and Health, after consultation with the Leader to approve an annual spend plan for the Public Health grant.

6.         Delegated to the Directors of Children and Adults authority to agree inflation rates with social care providers for 2017/18.

7.         Noted the financial position of the Council in the current year and that action plans to recover the forecast overspend during 2016/17 and 2017/18 would be presented to Cabinet in February.

8.         Agreed the adjustments to the budget assumptions as set out in the table at paragraph 8 of the report, which give rise to an increase in the funding gap over a three year period 2017/18 to 2019/20.

9.         Approved the draft Capital programme for 2017/18 as set out in paragraph 9 for inclusion in the final Capital Strategy report to be considered at the February Cabinet meeting and for onward approval by Council.

10.       Agreed that any underspends from the Corporate Risk Budget, and from any service revenue underspends, are to be allocated to a Business Risk Reserve.

11.       Noted the summary of the GLA’s consultation budget and the expected date for the publication of the final proposals.

12.       Noted that a public engagement exercise on the budget process will be carried out during January 2017.

13.       Noted the Equalities Impact Assessment in respect of the CTS Scheme as set out in appendix C to the report.

14.       Recommended to Full Council that the CTS Scheme 2017 be approved