Decision details

To review and comment on the cost pressures, proposed cost reductions, and associated risks.

The Corporate Finance Manager presented a report to consider additional proposals for Corporate Services, Assets Service and Governance portfolio towards meeting the remaining budget gap of £12.946m reported at the previous meeting.

Following receipt of the disappointing Local Government Provisional Settlement, all portfolios had been tasked with reviewing their cost base to identify potential ways of reducing budgets or removing cost pressure to contribute more to meeting the remaining gap.  Members were reminded of a number of ongoing risks which were being monitored and could change the additional budget requirement further.  Comments from Overview & Scrutiny committees on their respective areas would be collated for the final budget-setting reports to Cabinet and County Council on 20 February.

Table 1 - Corporate Services budget reductions

The Chair shared his concerns about the future consequences of the option for the Flintshire Trainee programme.  The Corporate Manager (Human Resources and Organisational Development) provided context by advising that the proposal to reduce the cohort for 2024/25 would have a minimal impact as those trainees would have been under-resourced during the period.  This assisted the Committee in considering the recommendations.

On the fees and charges review, the Chair was advised that the amount related to 2024 and reflected an estimate of the part year figure from October 2024.

Clarity was given to Councillor Andrew Parkhurst on the estimated total for the Trade Union support budget.  On statutory requirements, the Corporate Manager (Human Resources and Organisational Development) said that whilst the Council had always recognised trade unions as an employer, she would check on the definitive statutory position and respond separately.

Table 2 - Assets Service budget reductions

Following explanation on the budget reduction for Policy detailed in the report, the Chair said that reductions made for third sector funding could potentially put pressure on Council services.  Positive contributions by the third sector on the delivery of Council services were acknowledged by the Chief Executive and the Chair.

Table 3 - Governance budget reductions

In response to a question from Councillor Alasdair Ibbotson, the Chief Officer (Governance) provided information on the impact on communications with the public arising from the GovDelivery software efficiency option if the carry-forward request for the Digital Strategy was not approved by Cabinet.

Following debate, the recommendation for the Assets Service was moved and seconded by the Chair and Councillor Bill Crease.  The recommendations for Corporate Services and Governance, as amended, were moved and seconded by Councillor Ibbotson and the Chair.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the Committee accepts the Assets Service options to reduce budgets; and

(b)       That having considered the options to reduce budgets in Corporate Services and Governance, the Committee expresses provisional reservations and reluctance in accepting the proposed reductions for Flintshire Trainees and Connects (reduction in budget) but expresses a provisional willingness to accept the removal of Granicus GovDelivery Software even if the carry-forward figure for the Digital Strategy reserve from the previous item is not approved, pending consideration of the effects and risks for each.