Appendix 10 to this item includes exempt information pursuant to Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972. If the Panel wishes to discuss matters relating to the information set out in Appendix 10 to the report, it will be necessary for the Panel to pass a resolution to exclude the press and public from the meeting.

Cabinet, at its meeting on 13 December 2023, will consider a report on the Medium Term Financial Strategy 2025/26 - 2027/28 and 2024/25 Budget for consultation. 

The Scrutiny Committee has established a Budget Review Group to Scrutinise the 2024/25 Budget. The Panel is asked to note the Budget and agree a list of written questions to Heads of Service which will form part of the discussion for the Budget Review Group meetings.

Nigel Kennedy, Head of Financial Services has been invited to attend for this item.

Nigel Kennedy, Head of Financial Services introduced the report, which proposed a Medium Term Financial Strategy and the 2024/25 Budget for consultation. He set the context of the forthcoming Budget round against the backdrop of a very difficult financial climate and significant resourcing concerns across the whole Local Government sector. He added that Central Government’s Autumn Statement had not revealed any surprises that had not already been factored in as assumptions within the draft Budget.

The Panel asked a series of questions for clarification in relation to the contents of the report. In response to questions, the Scrutiny Officer advised that substitutes were not permitted on the Budget Review Group as per the Scrutiny Operating Principles 2023/24; the Panel requested that the Scrutiny Officer look into this further outside the meeting to see if there were any options to allow substitutes to attend and report back in due course.

The Scrutiny Officer clarified that the dates of Budget Review Group meetings were 03, 04, 09 and 15 January 2024; all meetings started at 6pm and would take place via Zoom. She confirmed that diary invites had been circulated.

The Panel:

1.    Noted the report.

2.    Agreed to share written questions for submission to Heads of Service with the Scrutiny Officer via email by Monday 11 December 2023, 10am. The questions would then be shared with officers for response ahead of the first meeting of the Budget Review Group on 03 January 2024.