Mr N. J.
Rushton CC, the Leader of the Council, and Mr L. Breckon CC, Lead Member for Resources,
have been invited to attend for this and other Medium Term
Financial Strategy (MTFS) items together with other Lead Members as
appropriate.
Minutes:
The Chairman welcomed the Leader of the Council, Mr N. J. Rushton CC,
and the Cabinet Lead Member for Resources, Mr L. Breckon CC, to the meeting for
this item.
The Director of Corporate Resources in introducing the budget
highlighted the following:
The Leader welcomed the increased funding allocated by the Government
(i.e. Improved Better Care Fund, Social Care Grant and
Services Grant) which had improved the Council’s position for the coming
year. He highlighted that ordinarily a
balanced budget for the first two years of the MTFS could be presented. However, this had not been possible this
year. Whilst assurance was provided that
the gap could be bridged, the Leader agreed this would require some difficult
decisions to be made, highlighting that the Council had already delivered
significant savings over a number of years. The Council had been prudent and maximised
its opportunities to raise revenue funding by increasing council tax and whilst
difficult, it was recognised that this was necessary to help manage the cost
pressures faced. The Leader assured
members that the Council would continue to pursue fair funding.
Arising from discussion, the following points were made:
MTFS Summary and changes to the Revenue Budget
(i)
A member commented on
the degree of risk in the new MTFS which had been demonstrated through the
discussions at each overview and scrutiny committee. The Director assured members that detailed
analysis of the key risks faced had been undertaken and this would be detailed
in the report to the Cabinet along with details of the contingencies being put
in place to address these. The Leader
commented that it was clear in preparing this budget that the Council faced
greater risks over the coming four years than it had faced over the last 10,
but said he was hopeful that some, for example, around business rates reform,
fair funding and the County Deal, could ultimately benefit the Council for the
future.
(ii)
Concern was raised about
the lateness of the receipt of the Local Government Finance Settlement which it
was agreed was unhelpful and made it difficult for local authorities to
properly budget. The allocation of
funding for only one year added to this difficulty. As the Council had resolved to produce a four
year MTFS, it had to rely on estimates and forecast as best it could over that
period, but this added to the uncertainty of future years and limited its
ability to plan and manage risk.
(iii)
A member commented that
this was a sound MTFS as far as it could be provided for. It was recognised that it was extremely
difficult to predict four years ahead but felt reassured that officers and Lead
Members recognised the pressures and would address these head on. The Council was well run and despite being so
low funded, was in a good position.
(iv)
Whilst the Services
Grant for 2022/23 was welcomed, the Government had made clear that, given the
planned funding review, this might not continue beyond next year. It was noted that a total of £822m had been
made available nationally, but that the Council had only received a small
percentage (around 0.5%). A Member
commented that the Council had not received a fair proportion of this funding,
or other funding allocated by the Government, (e.g. the Social Care
Grant). It was suggested that the
allocation had been based on the traditional, outdated formula that continued
to disadvantage the Council as a result of it having a
reasonable council tax base. This
emphasised the need for fair funding.
The Lead Member for Resources agreed and emphasised the need for all
political groups to continue to pressure the Government to address this.
(v)
A member questioned
whether council tax receipts would likely be affected over the coming year as
household incomes were squeezed because of, for example, increased fuel costs
and rising national insurance contributions.
Members noted that whilst collection rates might fall a little, it was
not expected that this would be significant.
Council tax receipts were often resilient and were not overly affected
by such external pressures. The Lead
Member said it was recognised many residents would be experiencing difficulties
as the cost of living increased and the Council would continue to deliver
services to them as effectively and efficiently as possible.
(vi)
Regarding the New Homes
Bonus Grant members noted that the Government had suggested that this would not
continue beyond next year. Therefore,
whilst the Government’s response to the consultation was still awaited, the
MTFS had been prepared on this basis.
Corporate and Central Items
(vii)
Inflation – A member
challenged the estimates included for running cost inflation in future years
and questioned, given the expectancy that this will rise, whether that
allocation was too optimistic. The
Director said based upon continued increases seen in inflation over the last
few months, there was a real risk that the provision could be too low. Contracted prices would provide some
protection and spread increases over future years. However, it should not have a too significant
effect on the budget, as running cost inflation had a relatively small impact
compared to the National Living Wage and pay awards.
(viii)
Ways of Working
Programme – Members noted that as the Programme was rolled out and officers
began a hybrid working approach, this would free up office space at County
Hall. A member questioned whether any
cost analysis had been undertaken to determine the best use of the campus i.e.
whether to rent or sell parts of this.
The Director advised that discussions were being held with partners with
the aim of renting out space no longer needed which would generate an income
for the Council. The Leader commented
that there was no intention to sell any part of the County Hall campus and that
the preference would be to maximise its use and generate a good income through
renting.
Adequacy of Earmarked Funds and Robustness of Estimates
(ix)
Health and Social Care
Integration – Members noted that it had expected that an Integrated Care System
would be introduced in April though the legislative timetable had been
delayed. As part of this the three CCGs
(Clinical Commissioning Groups) would be merged into one. As expected, the biggest issue currently
facing the County Council was hospital discharges and pressures on adult social
care. However, the Chief Executive
assured members that the Council was well placed given how well it worked
locally with NHS partners. Members noted
that a briefing would be provided for all members the following day on this
issue and all were encouraged to attend.
(x)
Budget Equalisation Fund
– It was noted that the money allocated to this Fund came partly from
contingencies made, but not used this financial year, and partly from the
Council’s revenue budget. It was
acknowledged that the creation of this Fund contributed to the financial gap in
savings required to be made. However,
the Director explained that whilst this might appear counterintuitive, it was
necessary for the Council to allocate money for the increasing SEND deficit;
the Fund would equal that deficit by the end of the MTFS.
Capital Programme 2022/23 – 2025/26
(xi)
Prudential borrowing –
Members noted that whilst historically the Council had been against borrowing,
the position had now shifted and this might prove
necessary to deliver the capital programme.
The Director emphasised, however, that this would come down to
affordability. The Leader confirmed that
the key issue to consider would be the revenue consequences of the
borrowing. If it could be afforded and
the Council was looking to borrow for the right reasons, e.g. an invest to save
scheme, then prudential borrowing would now have to be considered.
Funding and Affordability
(xii)
Forward Funding – A
member emphasised the risk to the Council’s capital programme arising from the
need to forward fund schemes necessary to support developments detailed in
district council local plans. Whilst a
single agreement with all district councils could not be reached, the Chief
Executive assured members that all parties had agreed to move forward on an
individual basis and that constructive discussions were being held with districts
including Charnwood, Blaby and North West Leicestershire. The Director advised that each area and each
project differed in terms of need and risk and therefore a series of agreements
would likely be needed. The Director
further emphasised that the Council was heavily dependent on district councils
to secure the section 106 developer contributions needed to deliver its capital
programme.
(xiii)
External debt – The
Council’s current external debt was low compared to many other
authorities. The Council had repaid
significant amounts of debt over the last decade. The possibility of generating savings through
repaying more of this debt was also looked at regularly. However, this could be expensive due to
penalties applied and so there was little scope to repay more at the current
time.
Changes to the Capital Programme 2022 - 2026
(xiv)
In response to a
question raised, the Director clarified that the £8m balance referenced in
paragraph 78 of the report was different to the £8m allocation from the Covid reserve for Highways Investment that was included in
the December Cabinet report.
(xv)
It was noted that the
allocation of funding for the Members Highway Fund had been made in the current
financial year (2021/22) for a period of two years and that no further funding
had been allocated for this in the new MTFS.
Corporate Asset Investment Fund (CAIF)
(xvi)
The CAIF made a
meaningful contribution to the Council’s revenue budget. This was therefore a positive policy to make
the best use of the Council’s resources and assets.
(xvii)
Members noted that
whilst primarily investments were made in County, as these also provided an
economic benefit. However, investments
were made out of County where these were considered
appropriate and worthwhile. This helped
maximise the use of the Fund and ensured diversification to manage risk.
(xviii)
In response to a
question raised the Director confirmed that the CAIF would be funded from the
Council’s own resources and did not require any borrowing. Members were informed that a report on the
performance of the Fund would be presented to the Commission in the Autumn.
(xix)
Whilst independent
advisers had suggested that entry into the residential markets might be
advisable, the Council had decided against this at the current time. Whilst a good investment from a property
point of view, there was concern that increased exposure to residential market
risk would not be appropriate for the Council.
RESOLVED:
(a) That the report and information now provided be noted;
(b) That the comments now made be submitted to the Cabinet at its meeting on
11th February 2022 for consideration.
Supporting documents: