The Committee received report
number PAS/WS/22/017, which informed Members on the approach and
timescales for the 2023 to 2024 budget setting process and
medium-term plans to 2026. The report
set out the context to the 2023 to 2024 budget process; the
approach for delivering a sustainable budget for 2023 to 2024 and
beyond, the principles and challenges faced and
timescales.
There were several national, as well as global
pressures which were challenging the council’s budget, or the
process of pulling one together, which included:
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The financial impact of the current economic
situation, including high inflationary pressures.
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Increasing demand on council services and the role
it wanted to continue to play in supporting communities linked to
the current cost of living crisis.
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The council’s ability to recover income
streams in both the current and post Covid-19 context.
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Pressures to grow some of the council’s core
services in response to a growth in housing and demand.
The 2023 to 2024 budget and
medium-term plans were also being prepared in the context of
continued significant uncertainties around Government policy for
the sector, in relation to:
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Comprehensive Spending Review.
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Local Government Finance Settlement.
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Fairer Funding Review, Business Rates Retention
Scheme Review.
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Commercial Investment Policy.
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Potential major reforms with the Resources and Waste
Strategy, Health and Social Care reforms and the Planning Reform
White Paper.
In the February 2022 Council meeting, the
Budget and Council Tax Setting 2022 to 2023 and Medium-Term
Financial Strategy 2022 to 2026 report set out the financial plan
to 2026. The plan included the
following indicative medium term budget gaps, which would be
reviewed as part of the 2023 to 2024 budget process:
|
2023 to 2024
|
2024 to 2025
|
2025 to 2026
|
Indicative Budget Gap as at February 2022
|
£1.2m
|
£1.7m
|
£3.0m
|
The Committee considered the
report in detail, the approach and timescales for the 2023 to 2024
budget setting process and the medium-term plans. Members asked questions to which comprehensive
responses were provided.
In particular, discussions were
held on the held on the medium-term budget gaps; the levelling up
of street lighting across West Suffolk; ground maintenance; the
current employee pay award offer; and the government
settlement.
There being no decision
required at this stage of the budget process, the Committee
noted the contents of the report.