Agenda, decisions and minutes

Purpose: To receive any Declarations and advise Members accordingly.

No declarations of interest were made.

No declarations of interest were made.

(a)       That the service portfolio efficiency proposals listed in the appendices for adoption by Council as stage one of setting the Council Fund Revenue Budget for 2017/18 be noted; and

(b)       That the ongoing work on reviewing corporate funding options, and the national activity around the funding formula and Local Government Settlement be noted. 

The Chair welcomed Members and the contributors to the meeting.

            The Chief Executive outlined the purpose of the meeting, which was to enable all Members and Co-opted members to comments on Stage 1 of the Budget for 2017/18 report, based on the Portfolio Business Plans, which was approved by Cabinet at its meeting on Tuesday 20^th September, 2016.  All of the Overview & Scrutiny Committees received presentations during the summer and were supportive of the efficiency and charging proposals overall. 

            The Corporate Finance Manager outlined the financial forecast for the 2017/18 financial year, which was the third and final year of the current Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS).  The original forecast had been updated and reported to the Corporate Resources Overview & Scrutiny Committee in July 2016, as outlined within the report.  The forecast was under continuous review and would be updated for reporting in October/November following:-

·         announcement of the Provisional Local Government Settlement (which was due for publication on 19^th October, 2016)

·         all cost pressures built into the MTFS having been reassessed and re-profiled; and

·         the assessment of the impacts of national interest rate trends, investment market developments and inflation having been completed.

The Corporate Finance Manager continued to outline the portfolio business plans and corporate financial stewardship options as outlined within the report.  He also advised that work was underway on developing a corporate income policy covering all current and potential fees and charges and the levels at which they were set.  The outcome of this work would be reported by December, 2016.

The Chief Executive reported that the Council was actively involved in national discussions over the Welsh Government (WG) Budget for 2017/18 including the Local Government Settlement, both as part of the Welsh Government Association and as an individual council.  The key issues under debate were detailed within the report.

Councillor Aaron Shotton advised that if the council was to receive a flat line financial settlement this would reduce the remaining budget gap by £2.8M.  The service portfolio efficiencies of £5.9M, following this meeting would be presented to County Council on 15^th November, 2016.  In the meantime, an update on national discussions would be provided to Group Leaders as soon as possible.       

            Councillor Paul Shotton commented on the difference in financial settlements for councils across Wales and encouraged all Members of the council to lobby Assembly Members across all political parties to ensure fairer budget settlements in the future.

            Councillor Kevin Jones referred to the introduction of the Rural Stabilisation Grant (RSG) announced by the WG during the setting of the 2016/17 budget, which he said, had not benefited the council.  He also commented on the national discussions around local retention of Non Domestic Rate Relief (NNDR) growth by the collecting authority and the benefits this could have. 

            Councillor Aaron Shotton responded that the RSG had assisted those councils that had received a larger cut in their financial settlement.  The Chief Executive explained that Flintshire, whilst having large rural areas did not fit into the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 44.

There were no members of the public and one member of the press in attendance.

There were no members of the public and one member of the press in attendance.