The Chief Finance Officer presented the report which set out updates to the 2017/18 budget within the existing framework of the 10-year budget and savings plan.  The report also presented proposals that had been identified which needed to be considered, together with further suggestions made by the Advisory Committees, before finalising the budget for 2017/18.

The major message of the report was that the Council was able to remain financially self-sufficient.

The budget agreed by Council in February included £100,000 of new savings or additional income per annum and the Advisory Committees were being asked to make suggestions to Cabinet that would achieve the £100,000 required for next year. Two Member Budget Training sessions had recently taken place with the intention of increasing, or refreshing, Members knowledge of the budget process and to enhance the discussions that would take place at this round of Advisory Committees.

The Chief Finance Officer reminded Members that over £6m had already been agreed to be saved between 2011/12 and 2017/18 made up of over 130 items and over £10m had been saved since 2005/06.

Members reviewed and discussed Appendix D which contained the growth and savings proposals put forward by the Portfolio Holder and Chief Officers, and the Service Change Impact Assessments (SCIAs) in Appendix E. 

With regards to electronic only delivery of planning notifications  to Town & Parish Councils (SCIA 2), Members were generally in favour of the proposal but expressed concern in relation to broadband issues and I.T equipment, and therefore thought it prudent to approach the town and parish clerks.  Members expressed a desire to eventually move to ‘standardised plans’. 

Action 1:  Officers consult with Town and Parish Councils on proposed electronic only delivery of planning notifications  prior to Cabinet consideration, and present the results of the consultation to Cabinet. Wording of the consultation to be agreed with the Portfolio Holder.

Members also considered and gave their individual ideas for growth and savings items.  The Chief Finance Officer summarised the suggestions put forward and Members considered whether there was anything they wanted taken forward as potential growth or savings suggestions.   From the summaries Members discussed: more robust / better Planning Enforcement as a growth item; and as savings, increasing the amount of Building Control discretionary work undertaken and lobbying central government to allow fee increases.

The Chief Planning Officer advised that, with regards to enforcement, any growth suggestions had to be offset with savings.  He suggested that this could be looked at within existing budgets and Members agreed to add it to the work plan.

Public Sector Equality Duty

Members noted that consideration had been given to impacts under the Public Sector Equality Duty and that individual equality impact assessments had been completed for all Service Change Impact Assessments (SCIAs) to ensure the decision making process was fair and transparent.

Resolved:  That it be recommended to Cabinet that

a)     the growth proposal identified in Appendix D applicable to the Advisory Committee (SCIA 1) be agreed;

b)     the savings proposals identified in Appendix D applicable to the Advisory Committee (SCIAs 2, 3, 4 & 5) be agreed subject to;

i)     (SCIA 2 – distribution of planning applications to Town & Parish Councils) the consideration of the results of the Town & Parish Council consultation, there be a transitional period to allow Town and Parish Councils to adjust, for only plans to be sent in hard copy from 1 April 2017, and for complete electronic notification from 1 April 2018 (or sooner if individual local Councils prefer).   

i)   (SCIA 3 – Development Management Service review) the duty planner service not ceasing until satisfactory tools for self service are in place.

c)    there were no further suggestions for growth and savings from the Advisory Committee at this time.