Issue - meetings

1.    That the detailed service revenue and capital budgets for the years 2013-18, including amendments resulting from government funding changes announced after the 2013/14 budget be approved (Annex 1of the submitted report).

2.    That the publication of the detailed service revenue and capital budgets as set out in the 2013-18 Medium Term Financial Plan be approved.

3.    That the lower capital government grant to support the schools basic need programme be noted and the additional use of £2m internal or external borrowing in 2013/14 and 2014/15 be approved.

4.    That the fees and charges approved under delegated powers be endorsed and other fee and charge proposals, as set out in Annex 2 of the submitted report, be approved.

5.    That the Public Health Equalities Impact Assessment be brought back to the next Cabinet meeting on 23 April 2013.

Reasons for Decisions

The 2013 – 18 MTFP is a five year budget that is aligned to the corporate and directorate strategies. It reflects assumptions about the current local and national financial, economic and political environment. Regular reporting through the year will enable progress to be effectively tracked and managed.

[The decisions on this item can be called in by The Council Overview and Scrutiny Committee]

The Leader presented the detailed service revenue and capital budgets for 2013/14 and indicative budgets for the following four year period to 2017/18. The report also provided an update on the fees and charges for the use of council services during 2013/14. He confirmed that the County Council would continue to invest in services and commended the Medium Term Financial Plan 2013 – 2018 to Members.

Other Cabinet Members were invited to comment on their individual portfolios:

·         Savings in the Personal Care and Support Budget (within Adult Social Care) could only be achieved if the County Council worked with users and carers.

·         The Public Health Budget was new for 2013/14 and would fund the Council’s new Public Health responsibilities.

·         Successful joint working with East Sussex County Council in relation to Business Services is a flagship partnership.

·         Emphasis on particular commitments such as the provision of additional school places.

·         Reference to Annex 3, the Equalities Impact Assessments (EIAs) for all significant budget decisions and their impact on Surrey’s communities. It was agreed that the EIAs for Public Health, which were tabled at the meeting should be more robust and therefore should be resubmitted to the next Cabinet meeting for approval.

Finally, the Leader confirmed that, since the County Council Budget meeting held on 12 February 2013, detailed directorate and service budgets had been considered at the relevant select committees and no major comments had been received from them.

RESOLVED:

1.         That the detailed service revenue and capital budgets for the years 2013-18, including amendments resulting from government funding changes announced after the 2013/14 budget be approved (Annex 1 of the submitted report).

2.         That the publication of the detailed service revenue and capital budgets as set out in the 2013-18 Medium Term Financial Plan be approved.

3.         That the lower capital government grant to support the schools basic need programme be noted and the additional use of £2m borrowing in 2013/14 and 2014/15 be approved.

4.         That the fees and charges approved under delegated powers be endorsed and other fee and charge proposals, as set out in Annex 2 of the submitted report, be approved.

5.       That the Public Health Equalities Impact Assessment be brought back to the next Cabinet meeting on 23 April 2013.

Reasons for Decisions

The 2013 – 18 MTFP is a five year budget that is aligned to the corporate and directorate strategies. It reflects assumptions about the current local and national financial, economic and political environment. Regular reporting through the year will enable progress to be effectively tracked and managed.