Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Executive Member of Finance and Support Services submitted a report proposing revisions to the Financial Strategy 2015/16 - 2019/20, which included the policy on reserves and the proposed planning assumptions to be used to update the Medium Term Financial Plan in preparation for annual budget setting.

The Executive Member outlined the underlying assumptions within the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) and addressed the following key areas:

·                        Funding changes

·                        Financial Strategy

·                        Review of Reserves

·                        Underlying assumptions

·                        MTFP development; and

·                        Budget-setting Risk Management

The Corporate Business Scrutiny Committee, at its meeting held on 14 July 2015, had supported the revisions.

The Executive supported the recommendations as now detailed.

RECOMMENDED – that (A) the comments of Corporate Business Scrutiny Committee be received;

(B)      the proposed Financial Strategy, as now detailed, be adopted; and

(C)      the planning assumptions set out in the report submitted, be adopted as the basis for framing the 2016/17 budget and Medium Term Financial Plan to 2019/20.

The Leader reminded Members and the public that the meeting was being webcast.

To approve the Minutes of the meeting held on 7 July 2015 (previously circulated as part of the Council Agenda of 27 July 2015)

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the Executive meeting held on 7 July 2015 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Leader.

The Executive received a report detailing those issues referred to it by the Scrutiny Committees, which were noted.  Issues relating to specific reports for the Executive were considered and detailed at the relevant report of the Executive Member.

RESOLVED – that the report be received.

That the redesign of the council’s finance and business planning process to support the development of the Corporate Strategic Plan be approved.

The Executive Member for Finance and Support Services submitted a report setting out the drivers for change in reviewing the way in which the financial and business planning process will be delivered.  He outlined a new integrated process to determine the Council’s priorities and deliver a balanced budget for the next 4 years. 

He proposed a new, integrated finance and business planning process which would support the development of a new Corporate Plan.  This would set realistic service delivery objectives based on an understanding of service pressures, customer demand, workforce capacity and financial drivers.  This new integrated approach would enable joint discussion and alignment of the formal budget setting process with the setting of service priorities earlier in the financial year than had previously been the case.  Members would be able to agree the Council’s strategic direction and the underpinning investment requirements based on needs and priorities as opposed to incrementally changing budgets on an annual basis.

The Corporate Business Scrutiny Committee, at its meeting held on 14 July 2015, had supported the redesign as now detailed.

The Executive approved the recommendation as now detailed.

RESOLVED - that the redesign of the council’s finance and business planning process to support the development of the Corporate Strategic Plan be approved.

That (A) the recommendations of Corporate Business Scrutiny Committee be received; and

(B)     the outline plan to implement the Council’s Customer Service Strategy as now submitted, be approved.

The Executive Member for Development Management and Council Support submitted a report setting out how the Council will implement the Customer Service Strategy, approved by Council on 4 March 2015.  Members had requested an outline plan of how the Council intended to deliver the approved Strategy, recognising that it was critical for the Council’s continued success in delivering successful outcomes and services.  The plan was detailed at Essential Reference Paper ‘C’ of the report submitted.

The Corporate Business Scrutiny Committee, at its meeting held on 14 July 2015, had supported the approach now detailed.

The Executive approved the recommendations now detailed.

RESOLVED - that (A) the recommendations of Corporate Business Scrutiny Committee be received; and

(B)      the outline plan to implement the Council’s Customer Service Strategy as now submitted, be approved.