DECISION

1.    To note the outcome of the Council’s 2022-23 budget consultation with business ratepayers, residents and other key stakeholders.

Action by:

INTERIM CORPORATE DIRECTOR, RESOURCES (K. BARTLE)

(Head of Strategic Corporate Finance (A. Bannin)

Councillor Candida Ronald, Cabinet Member for Resources and the Voluntary Sector, introduced the report setting out responses to the Council’s budget consultation exercise. She introduced Nisar Visram, Director of Finance, Procurement and Audit who took Members through the report in more detail. He highlighted a number of points including:

·         The consultation had run from 4 October to 15 November.

·         1843 responses had been received whilst other people and businesses had been directly interviewed – a break down of responses by equalities characteristics was available in the report.

·         Responses were from residents and businesses.

·         Residents’ top priority was community safety, which was a change from Public Health last year.

·         Popular actions to help achieve savings included encouraging digital take up of services, reducing agency spend and generating more commercial income. There was also notable support for the social care precept.

The Mayor welcomed the report and highlighted that it formed part of the Council’s overall budget process and the findings would be considered before publication of the draft budget proposals. He proposed the recommendations as set out. These were unanimously agreed by the Members present and it was:

RESOLVED

1.    To note the outcome of the Council’s 2022-23 budget consultation with business ratepayers, residents and other key stakeholders.