Committee Report NSC

12(1)
 
[JG1] 

North Somerset Council

 

REPORT TO THE Executive

 

Date of Meeting: 24th october 2006

 

Subject of Report: budget strategy consultation 2007/08 and beyond

 

Town or parish: ALL

 

Officer/Member presenting: DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AND RESOURCES AND EXECUTIVE MEMBER (FINANCE)

 

Key Decision: n

 

 

RECOMMENDATIONS

 

That the Executive:

 

a) approve the attached budget strategy consultation document, and authorise the Director of Finance & Resources to make minor editorial changes.

 

b) refer the document to all Policy and Scrutiny Panes for their comment and ongoing contribution to the budget process[J2] 

 

1.                Summary of Report

 

The Council will set its 2007/08 Budget in February 2007. The attached budget strategy consultation document has been produced at an early stage of the process as the basis for an informed debate on the issues and choices facing the Council in setting that budget.

 

2.                Policy

 

The Council’s budget planning is an integral feature of its overall corporate planning, ensuring that resources are planned, aligned and managed effectively to achieve its aims and objectives. [J3] 

 

3.                Details

 

The attached draft consultation document aims to:

 

·        Explain the key financial issues affecting the council

·        Set out the timetable for budget decisions

·        Outline the initial budget strategy used by the council’s Executive

·        Invite comment and debate

 

To do so it is structured into the following sections:

1.      Background information

2.      Financial context

3.      The council’s investment priorities

4.      Mitigating risks and pressures – how the council will use its budget to manage the considerable risks and pressures it faces in providing services

5.      Value for money and efficiency

6.      Issues and choices

7.      Outline budget strategy – taking into account all of the above, how the council’s Executive is approaching this budget process

8.      Next steps – key dates for decision-making and public consultation

 

4.                Consultation

 

This report has been developed through consultation with Executive Members and CMT. If adopted it is intended to form part of a wide-ranging consultation programme in order to [J4] improve further the awareness of officers, members, partner organisations and the public of the financial position facing the Council, and the choices necessary; and to seek the engagement of all within the budget process.

 

5.                Financial Implications

 

As set out in the consultation document.

 

6.                Equality Implications

 

No specific equality implications.[J5] 

 

7.                Corporate Implications

 

No specific corporate implications at this stage, but the relationship between the budget process and corporate plan has to be integral if the Council is to achieve successful service and financial outcomes for the community.[J6] 

 

8.                Options considered

 

Not at this stage. Options will be identified as part of the budget process. [J7] 

 

Author

 

Phil Hall, Director of Finance and Resources

Councillor Mike Bell, Executive Member (Finance)[J8] 

 

Background Papers

 

Revenue Budget 2006/07 and MTFF 2006/07 – 2008/09.[J9] 

Budget Principles 2007/08 (approved by Executive February 2006)

 

 [JG1]To switch the display of comments off select View/Markup

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 [J2]The Recommendation must be clear and complete in itself, so it can be understood without needing cross reference to another document, and can be copied directly into the minutes.

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 [J3]Summarise the part of the Corporate Plan, Directorate Business Plan or other plan or policy document that supports the report.

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 [J4]Summarise who has been consulted internally and externally eg., statutory, trades union, parish councils, ward members, other.  List response received.

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 [J5]State any implications for equality in either employment or service provision.  Consider how your report could affect sections of the community in terms of race, sex, disability, sexual orientation, religion or other belief, age, social exclusion and other groups.

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 [J6]List any cross service implications, eg for Children, Sustainability, Legal, Human Resources, Property, Human Rights, Proportionality, Crime and Disorder, etc. and include comments on any which are relevant.

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 [J7]List all other options which have been considered in making the recommendation, with a brief explanation of why they have been rejected.

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 [J8]Give the name, job title and telephone number of the person who actually wrote the report.

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 [J9]All background papers significantly used in preparing the report must be listed, together with an official departmental file reference.  Directors are responsible for ensuring that background papers can be accessed by the public for up to six years.