Issue - meetings

Report of Chief Finance Officer

Lead Cabinet member: Councillor Zoe Nicholson

(Key decision):

To note the background to the medium term financial strategy for 2021/22 and approve the approach outlined in this report.

The Cabinet considered the report of the Chief Finance Officer, providing an update on the process and approach to the Council’s medium term financial strategy for the period 2020/21 to 2024/25.

As a consequence of the extra local spending needed as part of the response to Covid-19 not being met by central government and loss of income, this had left Lewes District Council with an estimated £4 million deficit in 2020/2021 and £7.9 million over the next four years.

The MTFS sets the strategic financial direction for the Council and is regularly updated as it evolves and develops throughout the year to form the framework for the council's financial planning.

Visiting member and Deputy Chair of Policy and Performance Advisory Committee, Councillor Liz Boorman requested that it be noted that PPAC had not yet had an opportunity to scrutinise the strategy.

Resolved (Key decision):

To note the background to the medium term financial strategy for 2021/22 and approve the approach outlined in this report.

Reason for decision:

To progress the medium term financial strategy process and update Cabinet on the background to this.