Agenda item

Budget reports from the Leader of the Council, Councillor E O’Brien are attached:

·         The Council’s Budget 2022/23 and the Medium Term Financial Strategy2022/23- 2025/26  (Appendix 4 attached)

·         The Dedicated Schools Grant and setting the Schools Budget 2022-23

·         Capital Strategy and Capital programme 2022/23

·         Flexible use of Capital Receipts Strategy 2022/23

·         Treasury Management Strategy and Prudential Indicators 2022/23 

Councillor Eamonn O’Brien, the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Finance and Growth, presented the following suite of budget reports:

·         The Council’s Budget 2022/23 and the Medium Term Financial Strategy 2022/23 - 2025/26 (Appendix 4 attached)

·         The Dedicated Schools Grant and setting the Schools Budget 2022-23

·         Capital Strategy and Capital programme 2022/23

·         Flexible use of Capital Receipts Strategy 2022/23

·         Treasury Management Strategy and Prudential Indicators 2022/23

The following questions and comments were raised:

·         Question on what changes, if any the recent announcement by the Chancellor has on the budget papers. It was confirmed that the White Paper did not induce any changes to the budget setting as we do not yet have the details if there are any further changes these will be communicated.

·         Assurances were sought on the ability to deliver transformation over the next municipal year. In response the Leader confirmed the delivery is the challenge, but there is a lot of confidence in the Senior Leadership Team.

·         Question took place regarding Appendix 1 of the Capital Budget. The leader advised he is open to new developments coming through and this is a live document.  Further discussions on the process for taking new projects on was requested; for example, Radcliffe has a significant need for regeneration, a School and high level of deprivation. The needs considered are around deprivation and/or economic growth are key elements considered.

·         Specific discussion took place regarding ‘The Uplands Site’ and regeneration of a Health Centre. Geoff Little, Chief Executive advised that work with the current and other practices in the Whitefield area is taking place to ensure agreed use of each building and secondly, there is work to pull together a land assembly and the Capital Programme to develop the site for that use. The main partners are Health Partners, but the Council is involved. It was requested to note that Councillor Boroda will be keen to work on future developments in the area with the Leader.

·         Assurance was sought on the confidence to deliver savings this year. The Leader stated the budget is deliverable, but monitoring is done regularly to ensure any issues are identified immediately; reports go to Cabinet quarterly and the Executive Team receive monthly updates.

·         The Leader was asked what the failure standard is. In response he outlined the expectation is we deliver all expectations, but we understand things can change. When any elements cannot be delivered alternatives have to be found. In terms of what is deemed a failure this is when we give up and use reserves.

·         The proposal and rationale to reduce food waste caddy liners to one roll of 52 liners per year per household to save £50,000 per year was discussed. The Committee were assured that if this proposal has a direct impact on recycling rates this will be quickly identified and considerations such as bigger than average homes will have access to further bags.

·         Councillor Wright as Chair of the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee discussed the 18% drop in budget for call out services and if further explanation can be given to parents to assist them to use the money more efficiently.  Jennette Richards, Executive Director of Children’s Services advised all work is conducted on a person-by-person basis and work is being conducted to look at inclusive and creative ways for efficiencies can be made.

·         Discussion arose about the wording on page 81 which refers to a significant impact of staffing. It was confirmed these needs amending; the significant impact should refer to 2023/2024 and covers a wide range of differences to staffing.

·         Questions on the Adult Learning Services took place. It was confirmed the Adult Learning Services merging with Bury College aims to improve the service we offer and improve accessibility not to retreat away into only the College Campus.

·         Questions were raised regarding the funding proposed for Free School Meals; it was confirmed the money for this year was not needed due to Government funding, the money has been kept aside in a reserve to cover this Summer.

·         Assurances on the ability to successfully deliver the Recovery Plan for Schools was sought. In response the Leader advised we have worked constructively with Government. We have regularly engaged with the Department for Education regularly on this plan. The Leader assured the Committee that he is confident the Council will deliver on the Plan. In addition, Geoff Little, Chief Executive advised the submission to the Department for Education has been signed off within the last month. Isobel Booler, Director of Education and Skills advised we have made good progress and have agreement from our Special Educational Need’s Schools to look at our highest banded funding.

·         Questions took place on the 2% vacancy provision. The Committee were advised the 2% is an average and a reflection of what would happen in an organisation of our size. The decision was taken based on looking at other organisations and their provisions too.

·         Discussions took place on capacity to deliver took place. The Leader assured the Committee that the right systems are in place to ensure the Council has capacity to deliver and that the strategic processes are in place to deliver the fundamental programmes required.

·          Discussion on the use of Capital took place and the Committee were advised previously this was not needed as transformation monies were previously in place to support transformation at the Council. Now is the correct time to use Capital receipts to utilise them strategically to make an impact on transformation.

·         Discussions took place regarding the use of reserves. It was concluded that the Leader will take away an action to include a reference in the Reserves Strategy to how reserves can be used to help services with a short-term boost.

Councillor L J Dean put forward a proposal that the Committee recommend to Cabinet that they remove proposals for budget saving OPS 007 regarding food waste caddy liners. The proposal was not un held. It was agreed that the outcome of the discussions would be that the outcome of the proposal is taken to Portfolio meetings every three weeks and a full review takes place if there are drops in recycling rates due to the savings proposal.

Councillor Vernon requested that the Committee put forward a recommendation that OPS 007 be removed from the proposed savings. The recommendation was not upheld by the Committee.

It was agreed:

1.   Cabinet Member for Communities to attend a future meeting to update on the Adult Learning Service offer;

2.   the uptake on HAF figures to be circulated to Committee if they are available;

3.   the Leader to include a reference in the Reserves Strategy to how reserves can be used to help services with a short-term boost;

4.   that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee put forward to Cabinet that a Reserves Strategy be reviewed to look at setting out guidance for the use of the reserves within Services;

5.   and that the Leader be thanked for his reports.