Agenda item

The Cabinet Member for Resources, Councillor Mark Elliott, introduced the report and explained that it covered items within this Panel’s remit. He explained that the full budget is being worked on but there is an unusual level of uncertainty particularly around mitigation around National Insurance contributions. He stated that the hard figures will be published in early February.

Panel members made the following points and asked the following questions:

Councillor Blackburn stated that the report was a pale reflection on what was brought to scrutiny previously. Councillor Moss agreed that a fuller picture had been given in previous years. The Cabinet Member stated that the Executive Director had flagged up that full budget papers could not be produced for this meeting. Councillor Moss stated that in 2022/23 the full budget papers came to this Panel. The Cabinet Member stated that he was happy to support this in the future provided the deadlines can be met.

Councillor Simon stated that the Panel have been assured that a balanced budget it achievable and the report represents about the right amount of information for early January.  He stated that it would have been helpful to have more on the capital side. He added that focus on the detail of the relevant portfolios is the best use of the Panel’s time today.

Councillor Halsall asked about Council Tax rises. The Cabinet Member stated that, while it will rise, BANES still remains 4^th lowest in terms of Council Tax.

In response to a query on telephony from Councillor Simon, the Cabinet Member explained that it would be an ongoing cost as it is a service not a purchase.

Councillor Simon asked about the Being Our Best (BOB) programme. The Chief Executive, Will Godfrey explained the programme and that details would be brought to the Employment Committee on 14^th February 2025. There is a meeting with Trade Unions tomorrow.

Councillor MacFie asked where the change in Business Rates had come from. The officer explained that this related to the Business Rates Pool and a change in allocations. In response to a query from Councillor Simon, the officer explained that there is a concern that the Government are moving towards a deprivation/needs-based allocation. The Cabinet Member explained that this was another factor in the theme of uncertainty, there is some extra money in the system this year but we do not have the information to plan ahead and we need more clarify from Government regarding a multiyear settlement. Councillor Moss stated that, at the LGA Conference, the Deputy Prime Minister indicated a move towards multi year settlements from next year. The Cabinet Member stated that he was pleased to hear this.

Councillor Halsall mentioned reference to AI in the press and asked for assurance that this would be used to improve our service and that members are trained. The Cabinet Member supported this. The Chief Executive stated that it was early days but he could see the benefits of this and the Council wide impact in that colleagues will be freed up. He stated that the Panel would be briefing on this at a future meeting.

Councillor Treby asked for more Capital information and for more information around whether things are up/down/the same as last year. In response to his query regarding the indicative increase in contract inflation, the Cabinet Member explained that this was largely related to National Insurance increases in our suppliers. The officer further explained that there was an increase with social care contracts. In response to a query in Capital financing, the officer explained that this was a rolling programme.

Councillor Moss stated that regarding paragraph 3.3 – Savings Income Generation, he was not sure the sentence reflected the facts as there is a seeming inability to predict potential pressures which tend to skew our budgets half way through the year. He asked if BANES was an outlier in this regard. The Cabinet Member stated that we do have a good track record on savings but we have suffered by not predicting rising costs.

Councillor Simon stated that maybe there could be investment in a better model for forecasting regarding Children’s and Social Care Services. The Chief Executive stated that our discipline on delivering savings is pretty good but there is increasing demand and increasing cost of provision and both of these factors are outside our control. The Cabinet Member added that at the high needs end of child care, it can be a very small number needing a high level of funding which is hard to predict.

Councillor Moss stated that the Council knew about Newton House since January 2024 but did not highlight it until December 2024 and now emergency provision will cost money. He stated that it was important to avoid this.

The Chair thanked the Cabinet Member and officers.