Issue - meetings

Draft Budget Proposals (including Money Plan and Capital Programme)

Meeting: 09/12/2020 - Cabinet (Item 61)

61 Draft Budget Proposals (including Money Plan and Capital Programme) pdf icon PDF 382 KB

To consider the report of the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources seeking Members to review the Council’s Draft Money Plan for recommendation to Council.

 

Additional documents:

Decision:

RESOLVED that:

 

(1)  that the assumptions contained in the Council’s draft Money Plan from 2021/22 to 2025/26 and revisions to the draft revenue budget be approved

 

(2)  the uncertainties regarding future incomes, as shown in the report and Appendix 1, and the need to update the Draft Money Plan when there is more certainty regarding Central Government financing, be noted.

 

Minutes:

Cabinet considered the report of the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources that sought Members to review the Council’s Draft Money Plan for recommendation to Council.

 

The Leader of the Council advised Members of the uncertainty at this stage of knowing the income and expenditure position come year-end. He further commented on the prudence that has resulted in no forced savings this or next year despite COVID-19 disruption.  The Leader of the Council thanked all officers, especially the finance team for their work and took the opportunity to urge residents to comment on the proposals.

 

The Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources reiterated that there was uncertainty due to COVID-19 and central government’s settlement not being provided before Christmas.  She cautioned Members to anticipate changes to the budget prior to discussion at Council in February 2021 such as a Budget Equalization Reserve to be created should the settlement be greater than expected.  Regarding her own portfolio, the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources highlighted potential savings and additional revenue of £415,000 to be achieved by the now completed disposal of the Herbert, Kimberley and Phillpotts warehouses among other measures (Appendix 3).  She echoed the Leader’s thanks to all staff for their work in such a challenging year, and especially to the Section 151 Officer for his excellent support to Cabinet.

 

The Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods particularly thanked officers in her own portfolio who had gone to the sharp end of the pandemic to meet the needs of communities across the city.  She commented that Gloucester was in a healthier financial position than many other authorities due to prudent and timely decisions taken over the last decade by an administration she was proud to be a member of.  The Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Strategy offered his own gratitude for a proposed budget he was confident in, especially to the Head of Policy and Resources, Head of Place, Head of Communities and Housing Innovation Manager.

 

RESOLVED that:

 

(1)               that the assumptions contained in the Council’s draft Money Plan from 2021/22 to 2025/26 and revisions to the draft revenue budget be approved

 

(2)               the uncertainties regarding future incomes, as shown in the report and Appendix 1, and the need to update the Draft Money Plan when there is more certainty regarding Central Government financing, be noted.