Content

12.1

The Director of
Parks Leisure and Libraries introduced the report which was
subsequent from the report discussed and agreed by the Committee on
13th November 2023. The purpose of the report was to further update
the Communities, Parks and Leisure Policy Committee (CPL) on the
proposed savings for 2024/25 in order for this Committee to achieve
a balanced budget.
 

12.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Communities, Parks and Leisure
Policy Committee:-

1.    
Acknowledges the recommendation approved at the
Strategy and Resources Committee on 7th September 2023 that
“Policy Committees will be asked to develop savings /
additional income options that cover their own pressures – in
effect cash standstill” and to “require Policy
Committees to report at their meetings in November on how they can
balance their budgets”.

2.    
Notes, as this Committee's response to the Strategy
and Resources Committee's request, the set of budget proposals set
out in the closed Part B to this report.

3.    
Notes that Officers will now work with Members to
consult with relevant stakeholders (including with partners, staff,
trades unions and in respect of equalities and climate change) on
the proposals in this report to inform final budget
proposals.

4.    
Notes that Officers will work to develop any
necessary detailed implementation plans for the proposals in this
report so that the proposals can be implemented as planned before
or during the 2024/25 financial year.

12.3

Reasons for Decision

12.3.1

Members are
asked to note the unsustainable financial position highlighted by
the medium-term financial analysis presented to Strategy and
Resources Committee in September 2023. This report and its
recommendations, sets out the scale of the challenge ahead, the
limited resources available and some of the difficult decisions
that will need to be taken.
 

12.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

12.4.1

The Council is
required to both set a balanced budget and to ensure that in-year
income and expenditure are balanced. The options presented in this
paper, if accepted, will negate the need to make any staff or
resource cuts to the respective services and therefore, should
allow the continuation of good quality customer
services.