Agenda item

Budget 2023/24: Review of Service Dashboards and Service Change Impact Assessments (SCIAs)

Minutes:

The Head of Finance presented the report which set out updates to the 2023/24 budget process within the existing financial strategy.  SDC was not immune from the financial challenges affecting the country therefore the budget process was expected to be particularly challenging.

 

No changes had been made to future assumptions at the current stage which would be reviewed during the budget process, as usual.  However, due to the April 2022 pay award being higher than previously assumed and an annual savings target of £100,000 already included, an annual budget gap of £735,000 was currently reported.

 

The report presented growth and savings proposals that had been identified which needed to be considered. It requested further suggestions from Members before finalising the budget for 2023/24. Informed by the latest information from Government and discussions with Cabinet, it was proposed that the Council once again set a balanced 10-year budget and continued to aim to be financially self-sufficient.

 

The Committee considered the growth and savings proposals identified in Appendices E & F to the report. Further consideration was given to SCIA_10_ (23/24) which highlighted that the Health and Communities Team no longer required the use of its van. Members discussed the option of renting the van out but were informed that the vehicle would be passed into the ownership of the Property and Asset Maintenance Team.

Members gave consideration to additional suggestions for growth and savings which included looking into a digital library of training for Members and Officers which would reduce costs as well as additional learning material that could be used to sign-post Members and Officers to information. Members were informed that Human Resources were looking into providing additional digital training which could be charged externally to generate more income. As the suggestions did not relate to the remit of the People and Places Advisory Committee, Officers would refer the suggestions to the relevant Chief Officer.

Public Sector Equality Duty

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

 

Resolved that:

a)    It be recommended to Cabinet that the growth proposals (SCIA’s 10, 11, 12 and 13, 2022/23) identified in Appendices E & F to the report applicable to this Advisory Committee, be considered.

b)   No further income or growth proposals were identified applicable to this Advisory Committee.

 

Supporting documents:

 

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