Decision details

The Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Finance and Digital Services provided the Cabinet with the draft budget strategy for consideration which they would wish to recommend to Council.

The Deputy Leader took the opportunity to thank the officers for addressing the budget approach in a sustainable way, particularly in terms of the use of transitional funding. The Deputy Leader acknowledged the continued pressure in respect of social care and proposed that the Cabinet amend the proposed strategy to take forward a Council Tax increase of 3.90%. The Deputy Leader was of the view that the marginal increase would still see RCT Council Tax lower than many other Local Authorities and would look to offset some of the pressures placed in the area.

The Deputy Leader noted that the report highlighted savings from procurement, technology, back office, and efficiency savings; and that compulsory job losses had been prevented. The Deputy commented that the opportunities to make savings away from the frontline were becoming increasing limited.

In light of the Deputy Leader’s comments, the Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Corporate Services moved the recommendations outlined within the report and proposed the additional recommendation, to amend the proposed Council Tax increase for 2023/24 to 3.90%, and to determine that this level forms part of the Cabinet Budget Strategy to be presented to Council on 8^th March 2023.

The Cabinet RESOLVED:

1.    To review and amend the Budget Strategy which they wish to recommend to Council on the 8^th March 2023;

2.    To amend the proposed Council Tax increase for 2023/24 to 3.90% to support social care pressures, and to determine that this level forms part of the Cabinet Budget Strategy to be presented to Council on 8th March 2023; and

3.    To recommend to Council that the Deputy Chief Executive and Group Director of Finance, Digital and Frontline Services be authorised to amend the final budget consequential to the receipt of the Final Settlement as set out in Section 4 of the report.