Manylion y penderfyniad

To seek Cabinet approval for the budget strategy in respect of 2017/18 and the MTFP. This includes consideration of the financial position and savings targets for each directorate rather than a standard percentage of savings across all.  To note the Budget Timetable Framework and forward this to council for approval.

RESOLVED: that

(1)       the framework for the savings targets on which this Budget Strategy report is based including the use of a targeted approach to meeting the Budget Reduction Requirement both in 2017/18 and across the period of the Medium Term Financial Plan be agreed.

(2)       directorates work with the relevant Portfolio Cabinet Member, in consultation with the Corporate Resources Director and Cabinet Member for Resources and Performance Management to identify potential savings to assist in addressing the indicative budget gap of £24.328 million for 2017/18 and £75.297 million across the period of the Medium Term Financial Plan.

(3)       relevant bodies who raise precepts and levies on the Council be formally contacted to request that funding reductions are also fed into these settlements which should be in line with those it is expected that Welsh Government will impose in respect of local authority funding.

(4)       Authority be delegated to the Corporate Resources Director in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Corporate Services and Performance to identify an alternative budget gap requirement upon further clarification being provided by the Welsh Government in respect of funding.

(5)       Authority be delegated to the Corporate Resources Director in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Corporate Services and Performance to amend the Budget Strategy, once the budget savings proposals have been reviewed, if this amendment does not significantly depart from the underlying principles. Any requirement to significantly depart from these principles would require a further Budget Strategy Report to Cabinet. 

(6)       the Council seeks expressions of interest from officers in respect of the voluntary redundancy scheme.

(7)       It be agreed that that Council be recommended to agree that the Budget Timetable Framework set out in Appendix 2 be adopted and that the work outlined is progressed with a view to informing budget preparation.

(8)       It be agreed that there will be a two stage process in relation to consultation on 2017/18 proposals. This will commence with the Ask Cardiff Survey including a section on general budget themes followed by more detailed consultation on 2017/18 proposals later in the Autumn, once there is further clarity on the 2017/18 funding position.