Content

10.1

Members considered
a report of the Executive Director City Futures setting out budget pressures and savings
proposals that are the responsibility of the Transport,
Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee.
 
It
provided recommendations for savings which would support Sheffield
City Council in setting a balanced budget in 2024/25. The
recommendations had been subject to consultation with all political
parties. The report also requested approval for increases of fees
and charges included in Appendix 1.

 

 

10.2

RESOLVED
UNANIMOUSLY: That the
Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee:-
 
1.     
Note the Council’s
challenging financial position
2.     
Note the pressures and risks
identified in relation to the Transport, Regeneration and Climate
Change Policy Committee budget for the 24/25 financial year and
commit to work with officers to mitigate these risks where
possible.
3.     
Note the recommended proposals
to deliver savings of £300k for the financial year 2024/2025
for submission to the Strategy and Resources Policy
Committee.
4.     
Agree the increase in fees and
charges based on inflation increase and/or the principle of fair
cost recovery.

 

 

10.3

Reasons for Decision

 

 

10.3.1

The
proposals recommended for endorsement have cross party support
following the initial committee consultation.
 
It is
critical that services are maintained to further support
regeneration in the city and underpin game changing projects like
Heart of the City II, Sheffield’s Levelling Up city
centre pilots, Local Plan development
and strategic transport improvements for the city. Added to this,
there is a critical need to address Sheffield’s commitments
around Net Zero and the climate agenda.
 
The use
of the surplus income from road traffic schemes to alleviate the
pressure of the ITA Levy is a considered choice. The alternative is
reduction in service provision.
 
Removal
of services and budgets will dramatically reduce the City’s
ability to bid for and win external funding, which is critical to
delivery of political and corporate priorities.
 
The
recommended proposals allow the TRC Committee to deliver a balanced
budget in response to the Council’s budget
challenges

 

 

10.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

 

 

10.4.1

Do nothing
By undertaking none of the proposed actions, TRC
committee would not be in a position to
contribute to delivering a balanced budget.
 

10.4.2

Deliver Balanced
Budget
With the use of some of the surplus revenue from
road traffic schemes, we would be able to deliver a balanced
budget.

 

 

10.4.3

Offer greater budget savings by
stopping services
Make further savings by stopping non statutory
services. As above, additional proposals which propose cuts to
services have been rejected by Committee.