Issue - meetings

Council Fund Revenue Budget 2017/18

Meeting: 19/07/2016 - Environment Overview & Scrutiny Committee - Expired 13/07/20 (Item 22)

22 Council Fund Revenue Budget 2017/18 pdf icon PDF 151 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

(a)       That Members of the Committee note the report;

 

(b)       That the Committee recognises that finding future efficiencies of any scale, beyond the adopted business plan, will be limited without seeing significant impacts on service frequency and quality; and

 

(c)       That a workshop is arranged in the Autumn for all Members on recycling.

Minutes:

The Chief Executive presented an update on the financial forecast for the 2017/18 financial year.  This included budget pressures and proposed efficiencies for Planning & Environment and Streetscene & Transportation for 2017/18 as the third and final year of the current portfolio business planning cycle.

 

The Committee was asked for its support on the efficiencies set out and to recognise that any further cuts could cause unacceptable risks to services.  The approach to budget consultation at this earlier stage had received positive support from other Overview & Scrutiny committees which helped to strengthen the case being made by the Council to the Welsh Government (WG).

 

A presentation was given by officers covering the following areas:

 

·         Local Context - Planning & Environment and Streetscene

·         Current Plans - Streetscene & Transportation

·         Comparative Analysis

·         Business Plan Efficiencies and Pressures

·         Resilience Statements

·         Ancillary & Waste Services

·         Transportation & Logistics

 

In summarising the overall financial position, the Corporate Finance Manager highlighted the £14.4m projected gap in the revised financial forecast for 2017/18 based on a number of assumptions including a 1.5% cut in the Revenue Support Grant and 3% increase in Council Tax.  Members were reminded of the Council’s three part strategy to identify solutions to the financial challenges.  Work on this would continue over the summer, however even if the £6.321m of efficiencies and income growth were to be achieved, a projected gap of £8.1m would remain outstanding for 2017/18.

 

Whilst Councillor Chris Dolphin acknowledged the scale of the financial challenges, he pointed out that many members of the public did not understand the reasons behind the financial pressures and the need for efficiencies.  He commented on the need for more regular gully cleaning and grass cutting services, particularly in rural areas where there could be safety issues.  He felt that the delivery of acceptable levels of service should be accommodated within the 24/7 service now provided by Streetscene.

 

Councillor Bernie Attridge stressed that road safety was a priority of the service and asked that specific safety concerns such as those on grass cutting be raised directly with Streetscene supervisors who were the designated contacts.  He gave reassurance that gully cleaning took place at all hours and suggested that those concerns be discussed with the Highways Network Manager following the meeting.  Members were able to inspect the gully cleaning work schedule and raise any issues with the supervisors.

 

Councillor Nancy Matthews agreed that further cuts to the portfolio were a particular concern as these services impacted on all residents.  On efficiency plans in Transportation & Logistics to encourage more rail travel by officers, she felt that all options for cheaper tickets should be explored.

 

When asked about plans to include other plastic recyclables, the Waste & Ancillary Services Manager stated that the future aim was to incorporate mixed plastic recycling as the market was improving.  Councillor Kevin Jones spoke about discussions with WG on the potential for plastic recycling facilities in Wales and advised that mixed plastic recycling would be introduced prior to the enforcement on side waste.

 

In response to comments from  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22