Content

(1)        That the
Council’s current financial position based on the financial
         
outturn for 2023/24 and the Quarter 1 Budget Monitoring exercise,
       
both    of which were considered by
the Executive Board earlier this   
year be noted.
 
(2)        That the
continuing uncertainty with the funding outlook for the
     Council, not least
that any progress on Local Government Finance     Reforms was likely to take place after
the Local Government Finance         Settlement
   2025/26 and the upcoming
Spending Review be noted.
 
(3)        That the
update to the Medium-Term Financial Plan for 2025/28, as
       
shown at Appendix A attached to the report, be noted and that a
         further
update be provided once details of the Local Government
  Finance Settlement for 2025/26 was
known.
 
(4)        That it be
noted that all Portfolio Holders have been requested to
           
undertake a review of all fees and charges in their Portfolios, in
line          with the
Council’s Constitution and the agreed Fees and Charges
          
Framework, with a view to maximising the amount of income received
       by the
council by implementing any changes from 1st January
2025 (where it was possible to do so).
 
(5)        That Portfolio
Holders be asked, in conjunction with lead Strategic          
           
Directors/Directors to identify and bring forward budget savings
             
options for 2025/26.
 
(6)        That it be
agreed that any such budget proposals arising from the work
  above be considered by the Executive
Board in due course (and          subject
to the proposal on consultation below).
 
(7)        That subject
to the work above and agreement with Councillors, it be
      agreed that
some form of public and business-based consultation on      the Council’s budget
should take place over Autumn 2024 with a view   to informing decisions on the Council’s
budget for 2025/26.