Agenda item

To consider a report by Councillor Julian Thompson-Hill, Lead Member for Finance and Assets (copy enclosed) recommending the budget savings to be submitted to Council for approval.

RESOLVED that Cabinet, having taken into account the discussions at the numerous all member budget workshops to achieve the £17.1m savings required, recommends that the savings listed in Appendix 1 to the report be taken to all members at Council for approval.

Councillor Julian Thompson-Hill presented the report recommending the Phase 2 budget savings for submission to Council for approval. The report outlined the current budget position and detailed the latest raft of saving proposals totalling £3.6m in 2015/16 and £1.8m in 2016/17.

The Leader highlighted the hard work of Lead Members and Heads of Service in identifying options for consideration and ensuring they were fully aware of the implications of the proposals.  Whilst acknowledging difficult decisions must be made he was satisfied that the budget process had been robust, open and transparent and he thanked all members for their participation.  Councillor Thompson-Hill reminded members of the comprehensive process to identify the savings required to deliver a balanced budget over the next two years.  He also provided an update on the public engagement exercise ‘Cutting Our Cloth’ and advised that feedback would be reported to full Council alongside the budget recommendations and full impact assessments.

Cabinet Members outlined the budget proposals relating to individual service areas within their portfolios which had been detailed in Appendix 1 to the report, explained the reasoning behind those recommendations and subsequent implications arising therefrom.  During consideration of the budget savings members took the opportunity to raise questions and sought assurances regarding specific proposals in order to satisfy themselves that they represented the best options to be recommended to full Council for approval.

Main areas of debate focused on the following service areas –

Schools Delegated Budgets – In response to questions Councillor Eryl Williams advised that the 1% budget protection was being maintained through investment in the Corporate Plan.  In terms of the reduction to reflect the fall in pupil numbers he explained the role of the Schools Budget Forum in that regard.

Education Support – With regard to removal of the discretionary school uniform grant for Years 8 – 11 a full explanation had been provided in Council Briefing and it was not expected that children who could not afford school uniform would go without.

School Improvement Services – The impact of ending the music service agreement was discussed and it was noted that music lessons for individual pupils would not be affected.  Following review it was found that music funding provision was not being used by all schools.  Schools were able to take on responsibility for the music service and some were already exploring that possibility. 

Children and Family Services – Assurances were sought that children with disabilities would not be disadvantaged as a result of the introduction of parental contributions for services provided.  Cabinet was advised that the introduction of a small flat rate should have minimal impact bearing in mind parents still had access to a range of other benefits.

Adult and Business Services – Assurances were sought that proposals to outsource council run care homes would not prove detrimental to their residents. Members discussed recent references in the press with regard to poor standards in private care homes and Councillor Bobby Feely highlighted measures in place in order to monitor standards and provided a more general overview of the quality of care and standards within private care homes.  She also pointed out that only three of the care homes within the county were council run and provided firm assurances that the right provision would be available to every resident affected by the proposals and that no service would close unless alternative provision could be found to meet the needs of individuals.  Members also discussed the merits of extra care housing schemes as alternative provision and an update was provided on progress made with Betsi Cadwalader University Health Board in terms of integrated health and social care.

Highways and Environment (Public Transport Subsidy) – Councillor David Smith acknowledged concerns regarding the impact of reduction/removal of the public transport subsidy, particularly on rural residents.  He advised that the findings of the public transport consultation would inform the rationalisation process and would be available for consideration before the next full Council meeting.

Highways and Environment (Grounds Maintenance) – Cabinet discussed the impact of reducing the grounds maintenance budget on visual appearance, particularly in coastal areas which relied heavily on tourism.  It was acknowledged that floral displays etc. were heavily supported in some areas but not others.  Actions to mitigate the proposal included seeking sponsorship for roundabouts and particular displays and members hoped that external funding sources to maintain standards could be secured.

Planning and Public Protection – Members discussed the proposal to stop or reduce CCTV funding highlighting the importance of the service in deterring crime and securing prosecutions.  The need to vigorously explore alternative options to try and secure the future of the service was stressed.  It was confirmed that savings had been earmarked for 2016/17 which left twelve months to work with interested parties and explore possible options for delivering the CCTV Service in Rhyl, Prestatyn and Rhuddlan.  However, if those endeavours proved unsuccessful the service would be stopped.  It was noted that CCTV provision in other areas were not funded by the County Council.

Housing and Community Development – Councillor Eryl Williams highlighted the importance of Town and Area Plans and asked that budget allocations be reintroduced if external funding became available.  The Leader confirmed his commitment to the Plans and acknowledged the need to be mindful of the potential for windfarm and European funding and responding to those opportunities. He added that even if the proposal to remove the revenue budget was approved, around £850k underspend from previous allocations was being retained and would be available for appropriate projects for the remainder of the Council term.

Communication, Marketing and Leisure – The importance of culture was highlighted and concerns were raised over stopping arts exhibitions in galleries.  It was hoped that alternative ways could be found to encourage culture and arts within the county for future generations.  The importance of the Scala and Ruthin Craft Centre was also highlighted despite not being statutory functions.  Councillor Huw Jones provided assurances that Scala and Ruthin Craft Centre had been treated fairly and a sliding scale of subsidy reductions had been introduced.

Finance and Assets – In response to questions Councillor Julian Thompson-Hill acknowledged Revenue and Benefits as a high performing service but in light of changes to its operation and potential impact on staffing levels a commercial partnership had been recommended.  A confidential report was to be considered later on the agenda which provided further detail of the proposal.

Councillor Jason McLellan, Chair of Corporate Governance Committee highlighted his concerns regarding the budget process, using the Welfare Rights Service review as an example.  Corporate Governance Committee would be carrying out further work in order to test and seek assurance on the budget process.  The Leader, Lead Member for Finance and Assets and Chief Executive responded to the concerns raised providing assurances regarding the transparency and robustness of the budget process. The role of Corporate Governance Committee overseeing the budget process was noted.

The Chief Executive provided some context to the scale of budget cuts facing local government and headline messages to date from the public engagement exercise.  He also highlighted the importance of relationships with town/community councils and other partners in order to try and secure alternative provision for functions the Council would no longer be undertaking.  Cabinet asked that the comprehensive budget process and engagement of all members be reflected in the resolution.  Members paid tribute to the hard work of officers in mitigating the effects of the cuts and creativity shown in modernising and modifying services in difficult circumstances.  Consequently it was –

RESOLVED that Cabinet, having taken into account the discussions at the numerous all member budget workshops to achieve the £17.1m savings required, recommends that the savings listed in Appendix 1 to the report be taken to all members at Council for approval.

At this juncture (12.05 p.m.) the meeting adjourned for a refreshment break.