Agenda item

To consider a report of the Leader of the Council and the Deputy Leader.

At its meeting on 18 August 2015, the Executive presented a report which included a Medium Term Financial Forecast for the period 2016/17 to 2020/21. That report illustrated the level of resources likely to be available in 2016/17 and the resulting budget position. In response to those forecasts the Executive brought forward the set of proposals for 2016/17 with the relevant proposals being considered by scrutiny committees, including the specific detailed business cases, in September 2015.

This report provides an update on each of the proposals relevant to this Scrutiny Committee and reflects completed or ongoing consultation with members, stakeholders and the public. The Scrutiny Committee is invited to consider and comment on the updated proposals appended to this report. Following scrutiny, proposals will proceed to the Executive on 16 December 2015 where they are presented for consideration and approval.

·         Health &Social Care Combined Business Case

·         Public Safety and Protection

·         Libraries and Management Efficiencies

·         Neighbourhood Management

·         Public Realm and SSK Operating Model

·         Information, Advice and Guidance

·         CSS

·         Locality Working

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to review the proposals and consultation findings relevant to this Committee and provide comments.

Officer contact: Laureen Donnan or Steve Houston, 0161 474 3180 / 4000

The Leader of the Council and the Deputy Leader of the Council submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on each of the proposals relevant to this Scrutiny Committee which reflected completed or ongoing consultation with members, stakeholders and the public. The Scrutiny Committee was invited to consider and comment on the following updated proposals appended to the report:

·         Health &Social Care Combined Business Case

·         Public Safety and Protection

·         Libraries and Management Efficiencies

·         Neighbourhood Management

·         Public Realm and SSK Operating Model

·         Information, Advice and Guidance

·         CSS

·         Locality Working

Following consideration by Scrutiny Committees, the proposals would considered by the Executive on 16 December 2015.

The Deputy Executive Leader and Portfolio holder for Support and Governance (Councillor Iain Roberts) and Portfolio holder for Safe and Resilient Communities (Councillor Shan Alexander) attended the meeting to answer members’ questions.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         It was difficult to predict the level of savings the Council would be required to make in view of the changes to Business Rates, the proposed reduction in the Revenue Support Grant and the implications Local Government Settlement which was yet to be confirmed. This may have an impact on the Business Cases currently being consulted upon.

·         The Council had the ability to raise council tax by up to 2% to cover a funding shortfall in adult social care.

·         It was noted that the results of the consultation being undertaken by independent consultants to support the Library & Information Service Review would be shared with stakeholders early in 2016.

·         The Locality Working Model would provide a ‘tool kit’ and cultural change to assist the community, councillors, Partners and Officers better engage and be involved in local decision making.

RESOLVED – That the report and Business Cases be noted.