Issue - meetings

Report of Deputy Chief Executive

Lead Cabinet member: Councillor Gill Mattock

(KEY) (1) That the draft budget proposals be agreed for consultation. (2) That the approach to dealing with changes in the expected resources available for the 2018/19 budget as detailed in 5.3 of the report be agreed. (3) That subject to there being no material change in the government settlement, a council tax rise of 1.97% for 2018/19 to make a Band D charge of £237.51 for Council services is proposed. (4) To note that there are a lot of announcements yet to be finalised by Government and that currently the proposed budget is showing a gap of £163k between the resources available and the draft budget. (5) That the strategy to close the gap as shown in 5.3 of the report be agreed.

The Cabinet considered the report of the Chief Finance Officer regarding the main elements of the emerging 2018/19 revenue budget that had arisen from the corporate and service financial planning process to date.

The Cabinet was recommended to launch a consultation on the 2018/19 general fund revenue budget.  Should budget proposals remain materially intact following the consultation and future government announcements, the Council would have continued to move its financial position towards longer term sustainability, as outlined in the medium term financial strategy.

The draft budget of £13.7 million would be funded by income from services, business rates, council tax and a much-reduced government grant.  The service and financial planning process had identified savings of £1.16 million and £540,000 had been identified as efficiency savings. These were detailed at appendix 1 to the report.

Thanks were conveyed to the finance team for their efforts in producing the draft budget proposals.

Despite the continued reduction in government grants, the Council would maintain front line services by transforming the way its delivered services through the joint transformation programme with Lewes District Council and investing in projects that would generate income.  The Council would continue to support the Community Grant scheme of more than £300,000 and the Devolved Ward Budgets at £10,000 per ward.

The Cabinet highlighted the national wide issue of homelessness, increased demand for temporary accommodation and the challenges facing councils as a result.

Resolved (key decision):

(1) That the draft budget proposals be agreed for consultation.

(2) That the approach to dealing with changes in the expected resources available for the 2018/19 budget as detailed in 5.3 of the report be agreed.

(3) That subject to there being no material change in the government settlement, a council tax rise of 1.97% for 2018/19 to make a Band D charge of £237.51 for Council services is proposed.

(4) To note that there are a lot of announcements yet to be finalised by Government and that currently the proposed budget is showing a gap of £163k between the resources available and the draft budget.

(5) That the strategy to close the gap as shown in 5.3 of the report be agreed.

Reason for decision:

To formally launch consultation on the 2018/19 general fund revenue budget.