Issue - meetings

Report of Head of Finance and Corporate Strategy and Performance Manager

Summary

To inform the Executive of the service and financial planning process for 2012/13, approve 2012/13 budget strategy and to agree budget guidelines for issue to service managers to enable the production of the 2012/13 budget and update the Medium Term Financial Strategy for 2012/13 onwards.

Recommendations

The Executive is recommended to:

(1)          Note the latest forecast for the Council’s revenue budget for 2012/13 to 2015/16 at Para 2.17.

(2)          Note the preliminary results from the public consultation and proposed prioritisation framework at Appendix 1.

(3)          To endorse the overall 2012/13 budget strategy and service and financial planning process set out in the report.

(4)          Consider and agree the proposed budget guidelines and timetable for 2012/13 budget process. (Appendix 2 and 3)

Recommendations approved

The Head of Finance and Corporate Strategy and Performance Manager submitted a report which informed the Executive of the service and financial planning process for 2012/13, sought approval of the 2012/13 budget strategy and agreement of budget guidelines for issue to service managers to enable the production of the 2012/13 budget and updated Members on the Medium Term Financial Strategy for 2012/13 onwards.

Resolved

(1)          That the latest forecast for the Council’s revenue budget for 2012/13 to 2015/16 be noted.

(2)          That the preliminary results from the public consultation and proposed prioritisation framework be noted.

(3)          That the overall 2012/13 budget strategy and service and financial planning process be endorsed.

(4)          That the proposed budget guidelines and timetable for 2012/13 budget process be agreed.

Reasons

The Council needs to set guidelines and a timetable for the preparation of draft estimates for 2012/13.  These guidelines should support the objectives contained in the 5-Year Corporate Plan, Improvement Strategy and in particular the updated Medium Term Financial Strategy.

Council will be asked to agree the 2012/13 budget and corporate plan (and the service plans that underpin delivery) at their meeting in February 2012. 

(Councillor Atack left the meeting at the conclusion of this item)