Issue - meetings

As detailed in the recommendations.

Councillor Johnson introduced the report and explained that the work that had taken place since July 2023, providing regular update reports on the Council’s challenging budget position for 2024/25, had concluded.  The outcome of that work was detailed in the report.

The report set out a proposal by Cabinet for the Council to be able to reach a

legal and balanced budget position for the 2024/25 financial year. The report also

included another option following the receipt of a proposal by the Independent

Group.

The report set out the Council Tax recommendations for setting local taxation

levels for 2024/25 which would be formally proposed at Council later that day following notification of the precepts of the Police and Crime Commissioner and all Town and Community Councils within Flintshire.

Cabinet was invited to make final recommendations to Council to set a legal and balanced budget based on the detail as set out in this report.  A full presentation would be made at County Council.

The report included the following tables:

·         Table 1: Remaining Additional Budget Requirement 2024/25

·         Table 2: Final Proposed Budget Solutions 2024/25

·         Table 3: Proposed Budget 2024/25

·         Table 4: School Budget Adjustments

·         Table 5: Social Care Budget Adjustments

·         Table 6: Medium Term Forecast 2025/26 – 2026/27

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the revised additional budget requirement for 2024/25 be noted and approved;

(b)       That the final proposals for the cost reductions that will contribute to the budget be approved;

(c)        That a legal and balanced budget based on the calculations and two options set out within the report be recommended to Council;

(d)       That the significant open risks which remain to be managed in the 2024/25 financial year be noted;

(e)       That an overall annual increase in Council Tax for 2024/25 based on the two options provided be recommended;

(f)        That Council be invited to pass the formal Council Tax resolution now that notification of the precepts of the Police and Crime Commissioner and all Town and Community Council within Flintshire had been received; and

(g)       That the medium-term forecast as a basis for the next revision of the Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) be noted.