Decision details

Reason for Urgency: The item wasn’t included on the work programme due to an administrative error by the Finance Department but a decision is needed to enable the budget setting process to commence. Due to the report containing information relating to the financial affairs of the council, it is restricted. Having regard to the financial sensitivity and urgency of the matter, the Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee has agreed that the report can be considered in private.

The Chief Executive submitted an exempt report to inform Executive of the service and financial planning process for 2018/19, the 2018/19 budget strategy and the budget guidelines for service managers to enable the production of the 2018/19 budget.

Resolved

(1)          That the contents of the report be noted.

(2)          That the overall 2018/19 budget strategy and service and financial planning process be agreed.

(3)          That, having given due consideration, the proposed budget guidelines and timetable for the 2018/19 budget process (exempt annexes to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be agreed.

Reasons

The Council needs to set guidelines and a timetable for the preparation of draft estimates for 2018/19. These guidelines should support the objectives contained in the Council’s Business Plan, Service Plans and enable an update to the medium term revenue plan.

The focus of the budget process has always been the forthcoming financial year, with subsequent years covered in less detail in the Medium Term Financial Plan.

Alternative options

Option 1: To disagree with the recommendations. This option has been rejected as it will lead to a delay in the formulation of a detailed budget for 2018/19.