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Agenda item
Budget Savings Proposals
Jane Hartnell (Chief Executive)
Decision:
1. That Cabinet recommends that Full Council approve the draft Budget Savings proposals and those that can be are implemented as soon as practicably possible.
Minutes:
The Chief Executive submitted a report to consider the Budget Savings proposals together with the consultation feedback submitted and make recommendations to full Council as appropriate.
She explained that because of the seriousness of the council’s budget position, proposals for addressing the funding gap have been brought forward for earlier consideration. This will enable the council to start work on implementing the agreed proposals before the start of the new financial year and will positively impact on our ability to achieve savings in the timescale required. A consultation exercise has taken place and stakeholders, staff and members of the public have had an opportunity to give feedback and comments. The consultation closed on Friday 1 December therefore a summary was circulated at the meeting. An equality impact assessment was not yet available but will be circulated with updated documents with the Full Council agenda tomorrow.
The budget gap is based on the current ‘worst case scenario’ and does not assume any further assistance from Government. The Council is legally required to demonstrate it can balance its budget.
A significant part of the savings proposals relates to a transformation programme to change the way the council works and to deliver services in partnership with others to create more capacity and resilience.
The Chief Finance Officer explained that there are other Councils in a similar position, and they are looking to also share services. If the Budget targets are not made, then further in year saving will have to be identified.
Councillor Hilton asked if there had been feedback from the youth council? The Chief Executive answered that officers had been in discussion with the youth council but will check if the Youth Council has given feedback.
Councillor Collins asked regarding total savings from housing not including savings from housing acquisitions program? The Chief Finance Officer explained that the figures included in last year’s budget had been revised and that these new figures were included in the table.
Councillor Batsford asked is the Council ready to start sharing services? The Chief Executive answered that some preparations have taken place, but further work will start after the Councillor’s final decision at Full Council.
Councillor Roark asked if the budget is agreed will staff in affected services be included in the discussions? The Chief Executive answered that as soon as any decisions are made about which services are to be progressed for consideration for sharing the relevant service teams will be included in discussions.
Councillor Barnett gave thanks to the Senior Leadership Team for their work in producing the Budget Proposals.
Councillor Barnett explained that most of the consultation has been positive. All responses have been read and all concerns and ideas have been listened to. Because of this Councillor Barnett proposed to change saving proposal 10 to:
Bring food safety inspections work in-house. The saving to be changed ‘to be confirmed’.
Councillor Barnett also proposed, following consultation feedback, to merge saving proposals 22, 23 and 32 into a single review regarding council tax.
The Cabinet members discussed the report and thanked members of the community for their ideas and feedback.
Proposed by Councillor Barnett and seconded by Councillor Evans
RESOLVED (unanimously):
1. That Cabinet recommends that Full Council approve the draft Budget Savings proposals and those that can be are implemented as soon as practicably possible.
Reasons
1. Current estimates are that £4m savings are required to cover the council’s budget deficit in 2024/25. This deficit has been largely created by cuts in local government funding over the past decade and more recently exacerbated by the housing and homelessness crisis in Hastings.
2. Due to the seriousness of the council’s budget position, proposals for addressing the funding gap have been brought forward for earlier consideration. This will enable the council to start work on implementing the agreed proposals before the start of the new financial year and will positively impact on our ability to achieve savings in the timescale required.
Supporting documents:
- Budget Planning Proposals, item 22. PDF 142 KB
- Enc. 1 for Budget Planning Proposals, item 22. PDF 114 KB
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