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The committee scrutinised the draft 2024/25 Council budget as it affects the services in its remit, before Cabinet makes its final decisions. It agreed to recommend three points to Cabinet, including that impact assessments are carried out on the savings proposals. The council faces a budget shortfall of £14.6m, and the Council Tax rise proposed for a Band D home is £4.15 a week.
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The Leader of the Council, Councillor Bryan Davies, presented the report on the draft budget for 2024/2025 (Enclosure A). The Leader stated that this was an extraordinarily difficult financial situation faced by the Council with considerable financial pressures. The Cabinet Member for Finance and Procurement, Councillor Gareth Davies, presented the remaining information in Enclosure A of the report. Councillor Davies also stated that this is by far the worst financial situation he has faced as Councillor in setting the budget. Duncan Hall, Corporate Lead Officer, Finance and Procurement, then provided a brief verbal update on the latest Budget situation. Cabinet Members then in turn provided detailed information regarding Enclosures B and C and the specific saving proposals shown in Enclosure D, as follows: D1 - Highways and Environmental Cabinet Member and Portfolio: Councillor Keith Henson Cabinet Member for Highways and Environmental Services and Carbon Management Target Cost Reduction / Savings 2024/25: £1.576m Current Budget: £19.4m D2 - Economy and Regeneration Cabinet Member and Portfolio: Councillor Clive Davies Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration Target Cost Reduction / Savings 2024/25: £255k (part of £419k of E&R total proposed reductions) Current Budget: £4.0m Members then considered Enclosure E, Fees and Charges relating to the Learning Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee, pages 17-42 of the agenda papers. Members then considered Enclosure F and Enclosure G. Following discussion, Committee Members were asked to consider the following recommendations. Recommendation(s): For the respective Services that are within the remit of this Overview and Scrutiny Committee: 1. To consider: a) the overall draft 24/25 Budget position. b) the relevant elements of the Revenue Budget Movements. c) the relevant elements of the Revenue Budget Cost Pressures. d) the relevant elements of the Revenue Budget Reductions Proposals. e) the relevant elements of the Fees & Charges proposals. f) Cabinet’s proposal on Council Tax Premiums. g) the relevant elements of the Multi-year Capital Programme. 2. To make recommendation(s) for Cabinet to consider on 20/02/24, as the Committee deems appropriate, in relation to the Budget. Reasons for recommendations: To assist with the preparation of a balanced budget, to ensure appropriate scrutiny of the overall Budget being proposed and to make recommendation(s), as appropriate, for Cabinet to consider at their next meeting on 20/02/24. Following discussion, Committee Members agreed that they had considered the above-mentioned recommendations and agreed to recommend to Cabinet that: 1. The proposal to remove separate/dedicated AHP collection is not considered as part of the proposed savings; 2. Integrated Impact Assessments are undertaken on the identified cost reduction / savings proposals; 3. Further detail is provided on the identified cost reduction / savings proposals e.g. the public conveniences proposal and the proposal to limit the number of black bags collected from each household.
Councillors must say when they have a personal link to something being discussed, such as a job, a property or a family member. A prejudicial interest is one strong enough that the councillor usually leaves the room and takes no part.
Declarations are read from the minutes once they are published.
It was agreed to confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 23 October 2023. Matters arising: None.
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