Issue - meetings

To provide the Committee with the current financial forecast position for 2018/19 and consult on the Stage 1 Council Fund Revenue budget proposals for 2018/19.

That the Committee is satisfied with the approach being taken to Stage One of the Budget within the Education portfolio.

The Chief Executive introduced the report on the current financial forecast position for 2018/19 and on the Stage 1 Council Fund Revenue budget proposals for 2018/19.  He provided background information and context and advised that the emergent options for the Education and Youth portfolio, the financial pressures, and the timeline for the budget setting process were set out within the report.  The Chief Executive also referred to the Education and Youth Operating Model and Resilience Statement which were appended to the report.  He advised that the Provisional Local Government Settlement for Wales was due to be announced on 10 October.

The Corporate Finance Manager reported on the financial forecast and the national, local, inflation and workforce pressures, as detailed in the report specific to the Education and Youth portfolio.  The Finance Manager reported on the current pressures in relation to Schools Budget. 

In response to a comment by Councillor Patrick Heesom concerning Youth Service provision the Chief Executive gave an assurance that the provision in the base budget, as it stands, would be retained.

Lynn Bartlett expressed concerns on the impact of reducing nursery education and commented on the long term value of education in the early years.

RESOLVED:

That the Committee is satisfied with the approach being taken to Stage One of the Budget within the Education portfolio.