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The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 22 January 2024 be approved and signed as a correct record.
RESOLVED: That a report be provided in 6 months’ time to assess the impact of the budget reductions to the Citizen’s Advice Bureau and how any Shared Prosperity Fund monies are assisting with the continuation of their services. RECOMMENDED TO CABINET: That the budget proposals as set out in Table 6 of Appendix 1 be approved and that the budget be recommended to Council but that the Council Tax proposal be shown as a combined figure of 9.67%.
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Frank Bradfield and Andrew Wood.
None.
None.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 22 January 2024 be approved and signed as a correct record.
The minutes of the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 22 January 2024 were submitted for approval. RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 22 January 2024 be approved and signed as a correct record.
Councillor Harry Saville asked the Cabinet Member for Education the following question: ‘What discussions does the Cabinet Member have with the finance portfolio holder about schools’ budget planning requirements when delivering the Council’s Budget Planning Framework?’ The Cabinet Member provided the following response: The Cabinet Member for Education, together with the Leader worked closely with schools and education finance. The School Budget Forum met regularly, which included a pre-meet with the Chair. Regular financial updates were provided by the Strategic Director – Finance and Resources. Head teacher engagement meetings took place in order that schools were informed of the Council’s full financial picture. Members had been invited to attend budget working groups, which included a specific school budget working group. Informal Cabinet discussed financial implications for all services. The Cabinet Member for Education and the Head of Education Services met on a fortnightly basis. The Leader had visited schools to discuss issues including finances. In line with the protocol, Councillor Saville asked a supplementary question as follows: ‘The deadline for school redundancies is 20 February 2024, which is before the final budget is approved on 29 February, 2024. This should have been considered as part of the budget planning framework and there should be a commitment to look ahead for next year’s budget.’ In response, the Cabinet Member for Education provided assurance that support would be provided to schools. The budget setting process was restricted by the timing of the autumn statement and final settlement, however schools were provided with an indicative budget. It was likely that cuts to schools would be less than originally anticipated. Support continued to be provided to schools from HR and corporate finance.
The Chair advised that the call-in had been withdrawn for the following reasons:- The Cabinet decision (minute 682 refers) to only support unavoidable Business Cases, was a significant deviation from the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee recommendation (minute 664 refers) which was to support the Business Cases, including risk cases. In light of the Call In and the resident’s survey, Cabinet had revised their proposals around the Revenue Business Cases and cuts to Education, Social Care and the proposed rise in Council Tax. The revised budget proposals also addressed the risk Conwy would be exposed to regarding the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLs) Social Worker.
The Leader, as the portfolio holder for Finance and Finance Strategy introduced the Revenue Budget 2023/2024 - Quarter Three Monitoring Report, which provided details of the revenue activity for the third quarter of the financial year, a forecast to the year end, as well as other relevant information available at this time. The Strategic Director – Finance and Resources highlighted the following points: • The latest projected overspend was £1.707m as a result of continued inflationary and demand-led pressure. • There had been an improvement from the second quarter, which predicted an overspend of £3.831m. • Costs relating to Storm Babet equated to approximately £1.4m and it was not yet known whether the Emergency Financial Assistance Scheme would be available. • Appendix 2 of the report provided an update on the anticipated achievements of the savings that were included in the 2023/24 budget. In scrutinising the report, Members discussed the following: • It was confirmed that the Emergency Financial Assistance Scheme, in respect of storm damage was only available for revenue spend and that there was no indication that a lack of maintenance or failure to clear gullies could impact on such an application. • The Leader had raised cost pressures relating to Storm Babet with Senedd Members and the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA). • In response to a previous request that an update be provided in respect of the impact of the pause on spend, it was advised that budgetary information was shared at Service Performance Reviews which were held twice per annum. • It was confirmed that the improved position regarding energy costs had only recently become apparent. • The Head of Regulatory and Housing Services provided assurance that the recent Housing Support Grant Audit, which provided limited assurance had not impacted on the homelessness budget and that reforms were being implemented. • It was proposed that the importance of continuing to minimise overspend between now and the financial year end in order to protect reserves be highlighted. RECOMMENDED TO CABINET: a) That the latest financial assessment of the estimated budgetary position for 2023/2024 be received and noted. b) That the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee provide a strong steer to Cabinet that work continues to eliminate recurring overspend in the final quarter, in order to protect the low level of reserves.
The Leader, as the portfolio holder for Finance and Finance Strategy introduced the Revised Capital Programme 2023/2024 - Quarter Three Monitoring Report, which provided details of the financial activity at the end of the third quarter on the total capital programme for the Council. The Strategic Director – Finance and Resources highlighted the following points: · The total capital programme stood at £122.679m. This was made up of the £116.675m, as set out in the 28 November 2023 Cabinet report, net of amendments (net) which increased the capital programme by £6.004m. The amendments to be approved and the associated funding were set out in Appendix 1 of the report. · Appendix 2 of the report provided the detail of each scheme, and the actual spend (£27.296m) to December 2023. In response to a query, it was confirmed that as Ysgol y Gogarth and Ysgol y Creuddyn developments were no longer going ahead, reserves had been repaid to the schools. RECOMMENDED TO CABINET: a) That the net increase of £6.004m to the total Capital Programme be approved. b) That the total Capital Programme of £122.679m and the third quarter capital outturn position for 2023/2024 be noted.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That a report be provided in 6 months’ time to assess the impact of the budget reductions to the Citizen’s Advice Bureau and how any Shared Prosperity Fund monies are assisting with the continuation of their services. RECOMMENDED TO CABINET: That the budget proposals as set out in Table 6 of Appendix 1 be approved and that the budget be recommended to Council but that the Council Tax proposal be shown as a combined figure of 9.67%.
The Leader, as the portfolio holder for Finance and Finance Strategy introduced the Draft Revenue Budget and Council Tax increase report for 2024/2025, which set out the current information relating to the budgetary process and formed the basis of the indicative budget. The Strategic Director – Finance and Resources highlighted the following points: • Table 3 (Appendix 1 of the report) set out a revised resource shortfall of £22.508m. • Some figures had been updated to reflect the latest information and/or financial projections. • The provision for NJC pay had been reduced following work to model various scenarios. Whilst still prudent, this did introduce some risk into the budget. • A small number of additional budget reduction proposals had been identified. • In light of Members concerns and additional funding from Welsh Government It was proposed that: - The schools budget reduction be reduced from 6% to 5.5%. - The increased fee for telecare be reduced. - The budget reductions in respect of nappy collections be rejected. - The critical element of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards business case be funded. - The funding relating to pupil numbers and complexity for Ysgol Gogarth be supported. · It was proposed that there was an overall uplift in Council Tax of 9.67% (8.9% to cover Council services and 0.77% to cover the North Wales Fire & Rescue Authority levy). · Results of the budget consultation were included within appendix 10 of the report. · Risks associated with the indicative budget for 2024/2025 were set out within table 9 (Appendix 1 of the report). In scrutinising the report, Members discussed the following: · It was confirmed that additional savings that had been identified were achievable and would have minimum impact. · Member involvement in budget proposals was welcomed. · In response to concerns raised regarding school redundancies, the Cabinet Member for Education advised that 23 schools had applied to the voluntary redundancy process and that a further 16 schools may come forward. It was confirmed that costs, which were not yet known, would have to be met from general balances. · In respect of the revenue business cases, it was queried as to why the position of Equalities Officer had been prioritised over other roles. · Concern was raised that no money was being put into reserves for costs relating to the transformation of services. · It was suggested that the Welsh Government and Central Government were failing residents due to the insufficient funding provided to Councils. · The positive response rate to the budget consultation was acknowledged. · The Cabinet Member for Education provided an update on the result of a budget reduction survey to schools of which 45 out of 59 schools had responded. Results included the following: - 73% would face redundancies. - 58% would reduce their spend on building maintenance. - 84% would use their balances. - Other measures would include reducing the curriculum provision, a reduction in extra-curricular activities and merging of year groups. · All political groups were encouraged to lobby Welsh Government in respect of adequate funding for Education. · In respect of a business case for gully maintenance, the Head of Neighbourhood Services advised that the level of service would be less than desired. · The Head of Education Services advised that if the business case for the Education Support Grant was not supported then it would be paid for from central funding. · The Strategic Director – Finance and Resources would discuss further with the Head of Education, the suggestion that an increase in Additional Learning Needs (ALN) provision in schools should be included within the medium term financial plan. · In respect of joint working, it was confirmed that any amalgamation of Local Authorities would be initiated by Welsh Government and that Corporate Joint Committees were also in place for regional collaboration; however it was suggested that a voluntary merger should be explored. · The Chief Executive acknowledged the challenging times faced by all Local Authorities and highlighted the impact a small population decrease had on the funding to the Council. · The Leader advised that joint working with other authorities and public bodies was being explored along with service transformation. · It was confirmed that the North Wales Fire and Rescue Authority (NWFRA) levy could not be listed separately within the Council Tax bill as it formed part of the Council’s overall budget. However, the Strategic Director confirmed that information would be included in the accompanying documents. · In response to concerns raised regarding the cessation of sending out the annual waste collection calendars, the Head of Neighbourhood Services advised that whilst the majority of residents used online services, support would be provided to those who were unable to access the internet. · The Head of Economy and Culture confirmed that service modernisation was taking place in respect of the Tourist Information Centres, as the way in which tourists engaged with the Local Authority had changed. · In respect of concerns raised that only two Depravation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) officer posts were to be appointed as opposed to four, the Interim Head of Children, Family and Safeguarding Services advised of the safeguarding risks and associated fines, should authorisation not be completed. - The Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Safeguarding advised that it had been agreed that 2 posts were essential and would assist with reducing the waiting list. - Thanks were extended to Tesni Hadwin, the Interim Head of Children, Families and Safeguarding for her years of dedicated service. · It was proposed that a report be provided in respect of the impact of budget reductions to the Citizens Advice Bureau and how any Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF) monies would assist. In respect of the Council Tax, it was requested that the Council Tax proposal be included as an overall figure, rather than split between Council Services (8.9%) and the levy for NWFRA (0.77%). RESOLVED: That a report be provided in 6 months’ time to assess the impact of the budget reductions to the Citizen’s Advice Bureau and how any Shared Prosperity Fund monies are assisting with the continuation of their services. RECOMMENDED TO CABINET: That the budget proposals as set out in Table 6 of Appendix 1 be approved and that the budget be recommended to Council but that the Council Tax proposal be shown as a combined figure of 9.67%.
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