Decision Maker: Budget Development Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: January 22, 2025

Purpose:

Content: It was moved by Councillor C Martin, seconded by Councillor Crabtree and   RESOLVED that, when papers come forward to Cabinet and Council for consideration, the impact assessments, including financial impacts and relative percentage reductions required at the October meeting are available.   It was moved by Councillor C Martin, seconded by Councillor Guest and   RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO CABINET:   That Cabinet gives due regard, in formulating the Cabinet’s proposals for the 2025/26 budget, to the comments of the Budget Development Overview and Scrutiny Committee in relation to the information contained within the report, including in relation to the Capital and Investment Strategy, the provisional settlement and resulting gap and the consultation responses, and specifically: (i)  That of the options in section 10 of the report, the Committee’s preference is to support the approach in option 2, so endorsing the principle of targeted cuts. (ii)  That Members of the Committee reserve their position in bringing forward at the appropriate time alternative budgets reflecting that they do not necessarily agree individually with all of the cuts that are currently proposed. That Cabinet reviews further, with the Section 151 Officer, the budget consultation and development process and engagement with the Budget Development Overview and Scrutiny Committee, including in relation to: (iii)  The Committee’s support for production of a dashboard on the capital programme to provide greater clarity on invest to save opportunities, maintenance, etc. noting that the Finance Team is already working on this. (iv)  Considering whether the revised revenue budget is referred to this Committee in future, ahead of final deliberations by Cabinet. (v)  Comparing the position of Cornwall in relation to other Councils in respect of the outcomes of public consultation, and what steps can be taken to improve response rates to consultations.