Agenda item

Report to follow

Consideration was given to a report outlining  the Liberal Democrat Budget Amendment Proposals 2023/24 which presented to the Policy Overview and Scrutiny Committee, the Liberal Democrats suggested amendments to the Administration’s Budget proposals for 2023/24 and offered some forward-looking proposals to achieve savings in future years.

The Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats and Shadow Cabinet Member for Finance and Low Carbon, Councillor Chris Gloster presented the report.

The report identified additional savings totalling £0.921m in 2023/24, £0.942m in 2024/25 and £0.278m in 2025/26 which could be considered individually or collectively. Also identified were initial investments to be funded from the range of savings proposals put forward to offset the increased expenditure and suggested amendments to the Capital Programme. Details of the proposals can be found in section 3 and in summary at Appendix A to the report. Business Cases for the individual budget reductions can be found at Appendix B to the report.

OPP- BR1-201- Additional Vacancy Management Factor

An assurance was requested that vital services for residents and indeed some of the key professional oriented services of the Council will not be impacted by these proposals taking into account the budget proposals already being put forward.

Councillor Chris Gloster informed the Committee that no negative responses had been received to their proposals as shown on BR1-201. He informed Members that the proposals had been costed and are workable with safeguards. With regard to specific vacancies to deliver the budget reduction, there were numerous vacancies throughout the Council. He referred to Building Control where vacancies meant that agency staff where being utilised which was very expensive.

Reinstate Parish Council Grant Funding - Paragraph 3.14 refers

Given that only a quarter of the Borough falls within the remit of a Parish Council, the disproportionate nature of the investment of  £30,000 to assist Parish Councils in their community work was raised.  Such investment was considered unfair as some parts of the Borough do not have Parish Councils nor do they have the ability to create a Parish Council.

Councillor Chris Gloster informed Members that the proposal was phased over 2 years and as the Council and Administration are facing financial challenges then it falls on the community and Parish Councils to be responsible for undertaking work that cannot be carried out by this Council.

OPP-BR1-204 – Reduction in Training Budget

A challenge to the proposal was made.  It was suggested that the Council, given the particular pressures being faced by all services, needs to invest in the workforce particularly as there will be forthcoming changes to Local Government functions.  Therefore, this budget reduction would have a compound effect on an existing reduction in the training budget and will have a negative impact on the workforce and future ability to recruit.

Councillor Chris Gloster informed the Committee that training can, given modern technology, be provided in different ways, e.g., on-line/teams calls and therefore there is scope for further reductions in this area.

OPP-BR1-202/203 - Mileage Budgets/Car Allowances Review

Reference was made to the need for a review of car allowances.

Councillor Chris Gloster informed the Committee that there is a projected underspend of £144,000 in this financial year with regard to car allowances and the proposal represents a reduction of one third of that sum. He informed the Committee that a review of Essential Users is necessary to ensure that the right people get the allowance and that there may be scope for further change when the  review takes place.

OPP-BR1-206 External Placement Cost Avoidance

Concerns were expressed about this proposal with regard to the need to explore  all aspects of bringing an additional 4 children back into the borough. Children had been placed externally because of a need for specific care which cannot be provided in the Borough. Also, in some instances, these placements are made to distance children from problems in the Borough. It might be that the expertise that is available in the External facilities may have to be brought into the Borough in the future resulting in  initial additional costs.

Councillor Chris Gloster informed Members that all factors had been taken into account and made reference to the costings shown in BR1-206. He advised that it is an achievable target and pays for itself.

Members were informed that reducing the demand for expert external help by creating internal capacity is currently being proposed in the already approved investment in Children’s Social Care.

It was suggested by a Member that as the Administration already has an agreed an investment £14.7m  in Children’s Services including the increased use of foster carers, then the use of foster carers would be a better approach.

Councillor Chris Gloster informed the Committee that there is a shortage of foster carers so there is a need for different types of care, temporary or permanent. Currently this Council uses external units.

Resolved: That the Committee referred the Liberal Democrat revenue and capital budget reduction and investment proposals to Cabinet for consideration mindful of the issues highlighted by the questions/comments raised by the scrutiny process.