The Head of Finance presented the report which set out updates to the 2024/25 budget process within the existing framework of the 10-year budget and savings plan.

Some changes had been made to future assumptions and they would continue to be reviewed during the budget process. The key cost driver continued to be inflation, with pressure coming through on service demand, the pay award and the cost of goods and services. The items listed in Appendix E reported a current annual budget gap of £1.368m. Members were advised that they were likely to have to make more difficult decisions during the 2024/25 budget setting process than they had had to make for many years.

Informed by the latest information from Government and discussions from Cabinet, it was proposed that the Council once again set a balanced 10-year budget and continued to aim to be financially self-sufficient with no direct funding from Government through additional Revenue Support Grant or New Homes Bonus.

Members asked questions of clarification. The officer explained that the pay award assumption built into the budget was for 5%, with a 3% increase built into the assumption for 2024/25.

The report presented savings items that had been identified which needed to be considered, and requested further suggestions from the Advisory Committee, before finalising the budget for 2024/25.

The Committee considered the savings proposals set out in Appendices G and H, which were for finding alternate methods to deliver community initiatives and community grants, and to reduce the annual grant budget. There was support for these proposals.

The officer advised the committee that there had been no additional suggestions for growth or savings by other members which were relevant to this Advisory Committee. Members discussed further possible savings and growth suggestions. Discussions around broader changes in the Council’s policies, which would have impacts on services both within the Advisory Committee’s remit and outside of it, would be investigated by officers and the Portfolio Holder for Finance & Investment.

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 saving proposals (SCIA 5, SCIA 6) identified in Appendices G&H to the report applicable to this Advisory Committee, be considered; and

b)      That no further income or growth proposals were identified.