Issue - meetings

[Report of the Director of Finance. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Finance and Strategic Regeneration.]

This report provides an update on the budget and Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) as well as on the National economic picture and local authority funding. The report seeks agreement to Invest to Save proposals in respect of Children’s Services and a number of other changes to the Budget and MTFS, and makes recommendations relating to potential changes to the Council’s financial support to Alexandra Palace (APPCCT)

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Strategic Regeneration introduced this report which provided:

• an update on the impact of the provisional General Fund (GF) 2018/19 outturn on Council finances (section 7)
• a summary of the 2019/20 budget position at period 2 (May) including delivery of agreed savings (section 8)
• an update on local changes to the MTFS assumptions outlined in the February report including an update on the National economic picture and local authority funding (section 9)
• an update on progress with the “live budgeting” agenda, the business planning process to deliver a balanced 2020/21 budget and refreshed MTFS. It provided detail of the proposed Invest to Save Programme in Children’s Services and also sets out further budget changes now proposed to be incorporated into the future MTFS (2020-2025) (section 10).

The Cabinet Member detailed the report as set at pages 301-315 and highlighted sections 9.2, 9.5, 9.6, 9.8, 9.10, 10.8, 11 and 12 of the report.

The Cabinet Member noted the positive in-year position currently forecast was better than at the same time last year which reflected the impact of the budget realignments undertaken as part of the 2019/20 budget build.

The Cabinet Member welcomed the progress and ambition that Children’s services were showing in bringing forward a suite of Invest to save proposals which would have a positive impact on delivering the MTFS as well as beneficial outcomes for children and young people in the Borough, in line with the agreed Borough Plan objectives.

The Cabinet Member noted that regarding the Spending Review 2019, this was anticipated to take place in summer 2019 but it was now expected this would not be carried out. This meant that the most likely scenario was that the 2019/20 Local Government funding position would be used as the basis for a shorter-term settlement for 2020/21 at least and potentially for 2021/22.

The Leader highlighted section 11 of the report which stated adherence to strong and effective financial management will enable the Council deliver its stated objectives and priorities.

In response to questions from Councillors Barnes, the following information was noted:

• Regarding details of the Alexandra Palace & Park Trust (APPCT) dispute, the Cabinet Member stated this was exempt information and could not be made public.
• Regarding the decrease in funding to Alexandra Palace & Park Trust (APPCT), discussions were still being had between Officers and the Trust staff over the effects this would have.

Cllr das Neves was next invited to introduce the addendum which included the Overview and Scrutiny (OSC) Comments and recommendations on the Children’s invest to save items. Cllr das Neves highlighted the following

• Grateful to officers within the Children’s services for looking to identify savings through invest to save and that it was clear officers were working hard to find ways balance the budget. The officers were also looking to invest in staff and their training, the quality of the services and, in some case, bringing services back in house to try and provide them in a more efficient way.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 184