Issue - meetings

Council Plan and Budget 2022/23

Meeting: 01/02/2022 - Cabinet (Item 39)

39 Council Plan and Budget 2022/23 (CAB13_21/22) pdf icon PDF 110 KB

Report by the Director of Finance and Support Services.

 

Scrutiny Committee Chairman and each of the main Minority Group Leaders will be invited to speak for up to three minutes on the Council Plan and Revenue Budget for 2022/23.

 

The Cabinet will then discuss the report and proposals prior to taking any decision.

Additional documents:

Decision:

Following consideration of the report, Cabinet resolved to:

 

Endorse the County Council Budget for 2022/23, as set out in Appendix A and Annex 1, the Capital Strategy set out in Annex 2(a) and the Treasury Management Statement set out in Annex 2(b), for approval by County Council on 18 February 2022.

 

The call-in deadline is 10 February 2022.

 

Minutes:

39.1            Cabinet considered a report by the Director of Finance and Support Services. Cllr Hunt, Cabinet Member for Finance and Property explained the key considerations in setting a balanced budget for 2022/23 in line with the priorities in the Council Plan with no additional savings required. Cllr Hunt acknowledged the crucial financial support from the Government in respect of the pandemic and highlighted the future challenges over the medium to long term. The budget proposes to increase the council tax rate by 1.99% and the adults’ social care precept by 1%.

 

39.2            Chairmen from each of the Scrutiny Committees welcomed and supported the budget and thanked Cabinet and officers for its preparation and production. Financial strengths were noted, as were the challenges and risks ahead. The need to continue to lobby the Government to help meet the needs of residents was highlighted as was the importance of longer-term planning. They asked that future savings proposals and budget plans be brought to their respective committees and for member briefings as early as possible.

 

39.3            Cllr Kirsty Lord, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group recognised the delivery of a balanced budget and noted that the assumptions were transparent and detailed. Cllr Lord felt there should be a greater focus on delivering for residents and the impact upon them of a council tax increase. Cllr Lord noted the significant costs expected in adult social care and that support from MPs and the Government is required. Cllr Caroline Baxter, Leader of the Labour Group was pleased to see a balanced budget for 2022/23 without the need for significant savings. She suggested that the council take a more holistic approach to delivering better outcomes for residents which recognised the increase in living costs.

 

39.4            The following points were made by Cabinet Members in discussion:

 

Ø  Cllr Steve Waight, Cabinet Member for Support Services and Economic Development felt the budget enabled the delivery of the council plan for residents. He highlighted work in the areas of insourcing services, the people framework, economic development and partnership working. He commended the budget with an exciting year ahead to bring improvements for businesses, residents and staff.

Ø  Cllr Bob Lanzer, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing recognised the support from central government which had helped the budget. He welcomed the increase in the Improved Better Care Fund which would help to integrate health and social care. Cllr Lanzer said the budget was directed at supporting the council plan and meeting the needs of residents, with an increase in revenue spending despite the big challenges. The increase of £100m in the Capital Programme was prudent and affordable. Cllr Lanzer hoped the profile of Public Health and Wellbeing would continue to rise even after the recovery from the pandemic.

Ø  Cllr Amanda Jupp, Cabinet Member for Adults Services highlighted that 95% of the Adult Services budget related to the cost of funding care needs of residents. The proposed increase of 1% for the adult social care element of council tax  ...  view the full minutes text for item 39