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.

A growth proposal had been identified 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.

There was general discussion with regard to the invaluable service the HERO scheme provided and whether it needed to be a growth item.  It was confirmed that an additional officer had recently been recruited using additional government funding available for homelessness.  Some concern was expressed that if the need was increasing rather than supplying more officers, should the Council not be investigating the underlying cause of that need first before recruiting more staff.  There was general support for it as a potential growth item should it be needed.

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)   the growth proposal identified in Appendix D to the report (SCIA 15), applicable to this Advisory Committee, be considered; and

b)   consideration be given to asking Officers to investigate whether there was an increased need which outweighed the current provision of the HERO service, and if so the Committee gave its general support to the scheme as a growth item.