Agenda and minutes

Members and officers must declare any pecuniary or personal interest in any business on the agenda. They should also make declarations at any stage such an interest becomes apparent during the meeting. Consideration should be given to leaving the meeting if the nature of the interest warrants it. If in doubt please contact Democratic Services before the meeting.

17.1     No declarations of interest were made.

Cabinet Members are asked to agree the minutes of the meeting held on 12 September 2023 (cream paper).

18.1     Resolved – that the minutes of the meeting held on 12 September 2023 be approved as a correct record and that they be signed by

the Chairman.

Report by the Director of Finance and Support Services and Director of Law and Assurance.

The Chairmen of Scrutiny Committees will be invited to speak for up to three minutes on the report.

Each of the main Minority Group Leaders will be invited to speak for up to three minutes on the report.

The Cabinet will then discuss the report.

19.1     The Cabinet considered a report by the Director of Finance and Support Services and the Director of Law and Assurance (copy appended to the signed minutes).

19.2     The Leader introduced the report and explained that this was the first step in engagement for the medium-term financial strategy and the 2024/25 budget before it went on to scrutiny committees and public consultation.

19.3     Cllr Hunt, Cabinet Member for Finance and Property, introduced the report which gave an update on financial planning and the pressures that services are facing.  The plan was to build £52.5m into the budget to cover predicted pressures in addition to the £36.8m planned for inflation.  Budget reductions have been proposed to close the budget gap together with Council Tax rises.  The full medium term financial strategy up to 2029 shows a shortfall of £174m before any proposed rises in Council Tax.  Public consultation would take place in October and November to allow feedback to be considered by the Cabinet leading to County Council decisions on the Council Plan and the budget in February.

19.4     Taryn Eves, Director of Finance and Support Services, confirmed that the financial position is difficult, but plans are in place to address the identified pressures.  Whilst this includes a payment of £3.1m from reserves, this is to cover matters for which the reserves exist and the importance of maintaining a prudent level of reserves remains.  The proposed budget reductions amount to £11.8m.  September estimates would be used to plan for inflation, however the impact of inflation would continue to be monitored.  The 2023/24 and 2024/25 pay awards had not been agreed and so assumptions were being made for budget calculations in the interim.  The next budget update would come in January.

19.5     The following points were made by Scrutiny Committee Chairmen.

a.  Cllr Boram, Chairman of the Fire & Rescue Service Scrutiny Committee, noted the challenging environment for budget setting.  With regard to the Fire & Rescue service, it was noted that no cost pressures had been identified to the future delivery of services.  The report recommendations were supported.

b.  Cllr Montyn, Chairman of the Performance and Finance Scrutiny Committee (PFSC) noted the inflationary pressures for the authority.  Members would be looking into the savings during the all-member Session on the 18 October.  PFSC would be keen to scrutinise County Council estate and service efficiencies, and also the reserve replenishment plan.

19.6     The following points were made by Cabinet Members in discussion.

a.  The Leader explained that the budget enables the Council Plan to be delivered.  The service and inflation pressures are a particular challenge but there is also the cost of living crisis as a real challenge for residents.  The Cabinet would reflect on the outcome of scrutiny and consultation feedback before finalising plans.

b.  Cllr Dennis, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, reflected on the high demands on highway services during the previous winter, and how this had impacted on costs of service in addition to the increase of costs of materials.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

Cabinet Members are invited to provide any verbal updates on current significant issues for their respective portfolios which may benefit from discussion.

20.1     The Leader invited Cabinet Members to provide any verbal updates on current, significant issues from their respective portfolios that may benefit from discussion.

20.2     Cllr A Jupp reported that the County Council’s Meals on Wheels, and service provider Heath and Independent Living Support, were a joint winner at the National Association of Care Catering Awards.  Meals on Wheels provide nutritious meals for vulnerable residents and also ensure regular contact for those who were particularly isolated.  Congratulations were given to the team.

The next meeting of the Cabinet will be held on 28 November 2023.

21.1     The Cabinet noted that its next scheduled meeting will be held on 28 November 2023.