The Chief Finance Officer presented a report, which explained that this was the second stage of the budget process and ensured that all Members of the Advisory Committees had a role to play in the governance of the Council and the budget decision making process. He explained that since the current financial strategy was introduced in 2011/12, over £7 million of savings had been agreed.

To continue to have a balanced budget position and remain financially self-sufficient, a net savings requirement of £100,000 per annum was included in the budget. The Chief Finance Officer also advised Members that other pressures may come out later in the budget process such as when the Local Government Finance Settlement was announced in December. These may result in additional savings being required.

No growth and savings proposals were included in the report for this Committee but Members were asked for their suggestions, in order to achieve the £100,000 net saving required for the next year, which would be considered by Cabinet, before finalising the budget for 2019/20.

Members questioned what the capital budget of £51,000 for Parish Projects, shown in Appendix B was and whether this could become a saving due to the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding now available. The Chief Officer Communities & Business explained that this capital expenditure was for rural parishes and village halls, or for the need of disabled access for community buildings and had been a one off capital sum.

The Chairman expressed his thanks to Officers for their work in maintaining the financial self-sufficiency of the Council.

Public Sector Equality Duty

Members noted that consideration had been given to impacts under the Public Sector Equality Duty.

Resolved: That it be recommended to Cabinet that

a)   no growth and savings proposals had been identified in Appendix D to the report; and

b)   the Parish Projects capital budget of £51,000 be investigated as a possible one off saving due to the now alternative option of Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding.