Agenda item

To consider a report by Councillor Gwyneth Ellis, Lead Member for Finance, Performance and Strategic Assets (copy enclosed) providing an update on outstanding matters relating to 2024/25 budget, sets the scene for budget setting in the medium term (2025/26 – 2027/28), and self-assesses the Council’s current level of financial resilience and sustainability.

RESOLVED that Cabinet –

(a)      approves the updates as listed in section 2.1 of the report, and

(b)      approves the commencement of the design phase for Ysgol Bro Elwern, Ysgol Henllan, Ysgol Bro Cinmeirch and Ysgol y Llys projects to enable the Full Business Case to be submitted to Welsh Government for approval as detailed in section 4.7 and Appendices 6 to 9 of the report.

Councillor Gwyneth Ellis presented the report providing an update on outstanding matters relating to the 2024/25 budget, budget setting in the medium term (2025/26 – 2027/28) and a review of the Council’s financial resilience and sustainability.

Cabinet was guided through the report detail which focused on the following –

·       a summary of the 2024/25 budget setting position, including an update on the final funding settlement, Voluntary Exit Scheme, and the savings tracker

·       Medium Term Financial Strategy and Plan 2025/26 – 2027/28 including current budget projections along with the assumptions that underpinned the projections and the Council’s strategic approach to the management of its finances and outlined some of the financial issues facing the Council over the next 3 years

·       self-assessment of financial resilience and sustainability setting out an assessment of the Council’s position against common themes and issues identified by CIPFA (Chartered Institute of Public Finance & Accountability), and

·       sought Cabinet approval to commence the design phase for Ysgol Bro Elwern, Ysgol Henllan, Ysgol Bro Cinmeirch and Ysgol y Llys projects to enable the full business case to be submitted to the Welsh Government for approval.  The projects were fully granted funded and approved by the Capital Scrutiny Group.

The Leader highlighted the importance of the report, which had been debated at length at Cabinet Briefing, and the key pressures facing the Council and how they were being addressed together with the process for scrutiny.  Councillor Julie Matthews welcomed the Communications Plan to ensure all members were involved in the process and kept informed moving forward.  A series of member workshops around the budget and transformation had been planned which would provide the opportunity for all members to engage in that process to deliver public services in incredibly challenging times.  Councillor Gwyneth Ellis drew Cabinet’s attention to the savings tracker which would be incorporated into the monthly finance report to Cabinet in future to monitor progress and delivery of savings.

RESOLVED that Cabinet –

(a)      approves the updates as listed in section 2.1 of the report, and

(b)      approves the commencement of the design phase for Ysgol Bro Elwern, Ysgol Henllan, Ysgol Bro Cinmeirch and Ysgol y Llys projects to enable the Full Business Case to be submitted to Welsh Government for approval as detailed in section 4.7 and Appendices 6 to 9 of the report.