Issue - meetings

The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Corporate Resources which detailed the overall financial position of the Council and the proposed approach to updating the Medium Term Financial Strategy. A copy of the report, marked ‘5’, is filed with these minutes.

Members noted the comments of the Scrutiny Commission, a copy of which is filed with these minutes.

Mr. Shepherd CC said that the financial pressure on the Authority continued to be extremely challenging and stressed the importance of a successful outcome to the fair funding campaign.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the significant financial challenge faced by the County Council be noted;

(b)       That the approach outlined in the report to updating the Medium Term Financial Strategy be noted;

(c)        That the Director of Finance following consultation with the Cabinet Lead Member for Corporate Resources be authorised to -

(i)         submit an application for the County Council to participate in the 100% business rates retention pilot programme for 2018/19;

(ii)        if the County Council’s application is successful, take all action necessary to proceed with the pilot; 

(d)       That the comments of the Scrutiny Commission be noted;

(e)       In respect of comments made in the Scrutiny Commission about the accuracy of references in the report to Council Tax collection and the rejection by District Councils of an external review with the intention of improving performance and collection rates to benefit local authority, Police and Fire budgets, the Cabinet is satisfied with the accuracy of the references.

(KEY DECISION)

REASON FOR DECISION:

To formalise the County Council’s approach to develop plans to address the worsening financial position.

To enable an application to be made to participate in the business rates retention pilot and, if successful, to ensure that arrangements are put in place at the earliest opportunity.