Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Decision approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: October 15, 2024

Purpose:

Content: Decision   For the reasons set out in the report and its appendices Cabinet RESOLVED to Agree: i)  To note the financial forecasts and management actions set out in Appendix C, the Quarter Two Budget Monitoring reports. ii)  To agree that the budgeted expenditure in financial year 2024/25 on items as detailed in Appendix A will now not be expended in-year as originally planned. iii)  To agree that the Mayor and Cabinet will recommend to Council that the items scheduled in Appendix A should be removed from the budget for 2025/26 and future years. iv)  To agree that work will start to increase fees and charges, other than for parking, by an average of 20% where permitted. To be implemented as soon as practically possible, so that in-year savings can be achieved in the final quarter of financial year 2024/25. v)  To agree to start consultation on certain items, as scheduled in Appendix B, with the intention of including them in the 2025/26 budget or earlier if feasible. vi)  To note that the proposed savings items for 2025/26 as detailed in Appendix B will also be subject to wider engagement with residents, partners and stakeholders as part of the Council’s budget setting engagement plans. vii)  To note that lobbying of central government on the financial position continues. viii)  To note the update in the Capital Monitoring Report relating to the Digital Fibre Grant Funded project being added to the Capital Programme.   Alternatives Considered   a)  Failure to face up to the budget challenges facing Newham Council in the hope that things ‘get better’ could mean the Council faces the prospect of very difficult decisions to be made in a short space of time in the run up to budget setting in February 2025.