Issue - meetings

For the Select Committee to scrutinise revenue savings proposals that have been developed as part of the Savings Programme to 2023.

The Committee considered four reports together from Chief Officers regarding the Revenue Savings Proposals for Corporate Services, Emergency Planning, Property and Health and Safety that had been developed as part of the Savings Programme to 2023 (SP2023) Programme Items 7 -10 respectively on the agenda).

Officers led Members through the four Savings Programme reports through the accompanying presentation.

Members heard that the last government spending review was for one year, making forward planning difficult. Forecasting indicated that government funding would not fully meet the financial pressures the County Council faced, therefore there would be a funding gap in April 2023 and the Council would need to make savings of £80 million to balance the budget. This was in addition to £45 million in savings from previous transformation programmes that were yet to be delivered. It was reported that an overarching ‘balancing the budget’ consultation had been undertaken in the summer of 2021 and further consultation would be undertaken on individual proposals at the appropriate time.

The Committee were made aware of the savings target for each of the four services and a breakdown was given for where proposed savings could be achieved. Members asked questions and commented on the proposals and learned that lobbying did continue with Central Government for funding. The Chairman thanked Officers for their hard work.

The Chairman put the recommendation to the vote and it was carried.

The Committee’s resolutions for each report are included under the respective minute item.

RESOLVED:

The Committee supported the Recommendations being proposed to the Executive Member for Policy and Resources in section 2 of the report. (To approve the submission of the proposed savings options contained in this

report and Appendix 1 to the Cabinet.)