To set out the issues bearing on financial planning for the authority over the next three years and to agree an approach to delivering a medium term sustainable financial position over that period, bearing in mind the risks and unknowns.

And to agree a draft budget for 2016/17 to be put forward for Full Council Consideration.

DECISION

1.    To submit to Council for agreement a General Fund Revenue Budget of £358.313msubject to any changes that may be required following the final settlement in February 2016.

2.    To agree the  Council tax (Band D) at £920.85 for 2016-17 be referred to Full Council for consideration.

3.    To authorise the Corporate Director, Resources in consultation with the Mayor and Lead Member of Resources to make the required changes to the budget following the final settlement announcement in February.

4.    To consider the following matters:

Budget Consultation

The outcome of consultation with residents and the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on the budget and savings proposals as detailed in section 3.12 and Appendix 9 and 10.

Funding

The funding available for 2016-17 and the indications and forecasts for future years set out in Section 3.4.

Base Budget 2016-17

The Base Budget for 2016-17 as £350.346m as detailed in Appendix 1.

Growth and Inflation

The risks identified from potential growth and inflation commitments arising in 2016-17 and future years and as set out in Section 3.5 and in Appendix 3.

General Fund Revenue Budget for 2016-17 and Medium Term Financial Plan 2016-17to 2019-20

The initial budget proposal and Council Tax for 2016-17 together with the Medium Term Financial Plan set out in Appendix 1.

Savings

New savings items to be included in the budget for 2016-17 and the strategic approach for future savings to be delivered are set out in Section 3.6, Appendix 4.1 and 4.2 of the report.

Capital Programme

The capital programme to 2018-19; including the proposed revisions to the current programme as set out in section 3.10 and detailed in Appendices 8.1, 8.2 & 8.3, and the proposed refresh of the council’s capital strategy during 2016-17.

To adopt a capital estimate for Communities, Localities & Culture TFL LIP schemes (2016-17) totalling £2.487m & S106 schemes totalling £0.276m as detailed in Appendices 8.1 & 8.2.

Dedicated Schools Grant

The position with regards to the Dedicated Schools Grant as set out in Section 3.8 and Appendices 6.1 & 6.2.

Housing Revenue Account

The position with regards to the Housing Revenue Account as set out in Section 3.9 and Appendix 7.

Financial Risks: Reserves and Contingencies

The strategic budget risks and opportunities as set out in Section 3.7 and Appendix 5.2.

Reserves and Balances

New schemes being funded from general fund reserves in 2016-17.

The position in relation to reserves as set out in the report and further detailed in Appendices 5.1 & 5.3.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, RESOURCES (Z. COOKE)

(Interim Service Head, Finance and Procurement (B. Scarr)

(Head of Financial Planning & Corporate Finance Partner (E. Hussain)

(Deputy Financial Planning Manager (R. Ebaretonbofa-Morah)