Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Policy, Finance and Devolution, and Cabinet Member for Reform and Governance

The report reaffirms the Cabinet’s commitment to addressing significant financial challenges presented by reductions in spending. This will involve difficult decisions about the Council’s services both next year and future years. The report sets out a medium term strategy which will help frame these budget decisions and build on work we have progressed to date, as well as further steps which will need to be considered in the future.

The Cabinet is recommended to:-

·         discuss the strategic approach outlined in the report and ensure it is used to inform detailed plans both for 2019/20 and for future years; and

·         endorse a wide-ranging conversation with people and businesses across Stockport to understand how best to put this strategy into effect.

The Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Policy, Finance & Devolution submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the Cabinet’s response to the financial challenges facing the Council in light of the outcomes of the Summer Review of the Council’s Medium Term Financial Plan.

The Leader of the Council explained that because of the significant financial challenge facing the Council it was proposed to set a two year budget to allow for a smoother implementation of any budget proposals and so protect front line services and vulnerable residents. The Leader emphasised the Cabinet’s willingness to work with the public in addressing the budgetary challenge but stressed that due to the scale of the savings required by the Council its services and how they were delivered would need to change fundamentally over the next five years.

The Leader set out some of the principals underpinning the proposed budget setting process, and emphasised the linkages with the Labour Group’s election Manifesto. These points included:-

·         Ensuring the Council made the most of every pound it controlled with a focus on commissioning reform

·         Working to create a flexible workforce that could respond to the changing delivery of Council services

·         Collaborating with partners to share services and coordinate activity to minimise the impact of reductions

·         Standardising decision-making process

·         Developing a Place-Based Commissioning Strategy to ensure the best value for every contract

·         Reviewing Council services to explore opportunities for collaboration or co-operation and reviewing outcome and quality standards.

·         Maximising income and opportunities from the Council estate and its assets

The Leader referred to the Government’s ongoing reviews of Local Government funding and stated that he was approaching these in good faith, but he emphasised the need for a speedier response from the Government to address the significant challenges facing local government. 

The Leader emphasised the hard choices facing the Council but also the determination of the Cabinet to minimise the impact on frontline services, and the need to start a conversation within the Council, with partners and with the public about how best to meet the future financial challenges.

Cabinet Members echoed the views expressed by the Leader, including emphasising the importance of developing a commissioning strategy and investment in prevention that could potentially have a significant impact on demand for services and allow for the experience of services in some areas to improve. Cabinet Members also welcomed the 2-year year budget approach and the emphasis on shared services and the internal integration of Council services. Given the unprecedented scale of the challenges facing the Council, Cabinet Member emphasised the need to engage in meaningful and honest conversation and dialogue with councillors and the public.

RESOLVED – That in relation to the Cabinet Response: Updating our Medium

Term Strategy and Framing our Budget Choices for 2019/20:-

·         the strategic approach outlined in the report be endorsed and be used to inform detailed plans both for 2019/20 and for future years;

·         a meaningful conversation be undertaken with people and businesses across Stockport to understand how best to put this strategy into effect.