Content

12.1

The Head of
Parks, Leisure and Libraries accompanied by Head of Communities
introduced the report which set out the financial pressures facing
the Communities, Parks and Leisure Policy Committee (CPL) in
2024/25, and the proposed options available to the council to
offset these pressures.
 

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.

5.    
 Notes a further report
will be brought to this Committee in December
2023

12.3

Reasons for Decision

12.3.1

Members are asked to note the
challenging budget situation 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.