Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no declarations of interest made in accordance with the Code of Conduct.

The joint report of the Management Team, the Leader and the Cabinet Member for Finance, Innovation and Property presented for consideration a draft Savings and Transformation Strategy to address the significant financial challenges faced by the Council.  It was proposed that the Strategy be adopted by the Council alongside the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) which had recently been updated by the Cabinet on the basis of a “central case” option leading to a funding gap and overall savings target of £1.4 million (Decision No D150080CAB).

In developing the draft Strategy, it was recognised that there was no one simple solution to addressing the challenges.  A number of objectives were set out in the Annex to the report and eight key themes identified with outline targets for each, creating a measured structure and framework for delivering the necessary savings within a timeframe.  It was expected that during the coming months options for savings within each theme would be brought forward for initial consideration by Advisory Boards and the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Members acknowledged that whilst the Strategy included some major areas where savings could be made without direct effect on services, it might be necessary to decide that other service areas should change to accommodate saving requirements.  This could mean doing things differently, more efficiently and with increased income opportunities where possible or running services with fewer resources.  Difficult choices and, consequently, decisions were anticipated.   A set of priorities would therefore be established focussing on customer and community service activity with the aim of maintaining the Council’s reputation of good front line service provision.

The Chief Executive emphasised that full engagement with staff would be essential in taking forward the challenges and she gave an update on a series of briefings which had taken place.

RECOMMENDED:  That the Savings and Transformation Strategy set out at Annex 1 to the report be adopted by the Council to sit alongside the Medium Term Financial Strategy.

*Referred to Council

Decision Notice D150089CAB

The Chairman to move that the press and public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting during consideration of any items the publication of which would disclose exempt information.

There were no items considered in private.