Decision details

The Deputy Chief Executive and Group Director of Finance, Digital and Frontline Services provided Cabinet with information in respect of the 2024/25 local government settlement and the outcomes of the budget consultation phase 1 exercise, to assist with its deliberations in formulating the revenue budget strategy for the financial year 2024/25, which it will recommend to Council, for approval.

The Leader thanked the Group Director for the report and admitted that the budget round has been the most difficult since he had been Council Leader in terms of pressures on services, high utility costs and cost of living pressures. The Leader felt that the budget proposed to Members was reasonable given the aforementioned difficulties faced by both the Council and households. It was noted that all statutory services had been maintained, and in many cases, well above the provision.

Whilst acknowledging that a rise in council tax was not ideal, the Leader was of the view that the proposal was reasonable in order to maintain valuable social care and education provision within the Borough.

The Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Corporate Services echoed the Leader’s comments and felt that the consultation had highlighted that the majority of the public recognised the financial pressures placed upon the Council.

The Deputy Leader took the opportunity to thank the consultation respondents and noted that 75.6% agreed to protecting services at current levels with a reasonable increase in council tax. The Deputy Leader also noted the proposed council tax increase would still make RCT one of the lowest in Wales.

The Cabinet RESOLVED:

1.  To note that the procedures relating to revenue budget construction, the budget consultation process, and reporting to Council, are set out in the “Budget and Policy Framework” within the Council’s Constitution;

2.    To note and consider the outcomes of the budget consultation phase 1 process;

3.    To review and consider the draft 2024/25 Revenue Budget Strategy;

4.    To consider and determine the level of Council Tax increase for 2024/25 which it would wish to build into the strategy to form the basis upon which a second phase of consultation will take place;

5.    The draft timetable for setting the 2024/25 revenue budget as set out at Appendix A2 of the report;

6.    To receive feedback from the second phase of budget consultation in order to consider and determine the final budget strategy for submission to Council; and

7.    That the Council continues to support the medium term financial strategy aimed at maximising ongoing efficiency in service delivery, targeted service transformation and other changes that maintain the financial integrity of the Council whilst still aiming as much as possible to protect jobs and key services.