1. The potential implications of Spending Round 2013 (SR2013) on the county council’s budget position be noted.
2. The proposed MTFP 2013-18 budget assumption changes in light of new information available since February 2013 (paragraphs 13 to 22 of the report submitted) be noted
3. The MTFP 2013-18 be revised to:
a). amend the capital programme to include an additional £95m in relation to school basic need and short stay schools for 2013-18 and £0.7m provisional expenditure in relation to the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta.
b). reflect additional revenue budget spend from 2014-18 for:
· revenue costs of additional capital programme items (£7.4m)
· unachievable savings targets included in existing MTFP of £0.8m and
· additional Surrey Fire & Rescue Service spending pressures (£2.0m)
· the provisional contribution to celebrate the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta (£0.3m in 2014/15 only)
c). add the level of additional savings that services have identified, which can realistically be delivered for 2014-18 (£56.0m in 2014-18, £19.5m in 2014/15)
d). agree the predicted scale
of currently unallocated savings required in
2014-18 if recommendations 3a-3c above are supported (£52.6m
for 2014-18 and £25.6m for 2014/15).
e). recognise that the
remaining currently unallocated savings (£52.6m in
2014-18, £25.6m in 2014/15) would need to be met through
further savings and/or increased income to ensure a balanced and
sustainable budget could be prepared for 2014/15
onwards.
4. That officers continue to work to identify realistic options for discussion with stakeholders and members during the next phase of the budget planning process for preparing a balanced and sustainable budget for 2014/15 onwards.
Reason for decision
In setting the MTFP 2013-18, the Cabinet agreed to undertake a review in the first quarter of 2013/14 to take account of the need to revise any of the budget assumptions in the light of progress with efficiencies and spending reductions, any impact of the revised Corporate and Directorate Strategies and implications of SR2013.
[The decisions on this item can be called in by the Council Overview and Scrutiny Committee]