Agenda item

Cabinet Member: Finance

Forward Plan Ref: 2018/115

Contact: Katy Jurczyszyn, Strategic Finance Manager (Finance, Strategy & Monitoring) Tel: 07584 909518

Report by Director of Finance (CA8).

The report is the second in the series on the Service & Resource Planning process for 2019/20 and sets out the latest identified pressures and proposed savings for 2019/20 and the medium term as well as key points arising from the Autumn Budget announced on 29 October 2018.

Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to take the issues set out in the report into consideration in forming their proposed budget for 2019/20, Medium Term Financial Plan to 2022/23 and Capital Programme to 2028/29.

Cabinet had before them the second in the series of reports on the Service & Resource Planning process for 2019/20 and it set out the latest identified pressures and proposed savings for 2019/20 and the medium term as well as key points arising from the Autumn Budget announced on 29 October 2018.

Councillor Glynis Phillips, Shadow Cabinet Member for Finance, expressed disappointment at the budget settlement, commented that the underlying situation gave cause for concern and highlighted a number of specific areas of concern including that relating to learning disability, older people and mental health. In particular she urged Cabinet to reject reductions in the budget relating to mental health services.

Councillor Brighouse, Chairman of Performance Scrutiny Committee commented, following that Committee’s consideration of the proposals. In particular the Committee: was keen to undertake further work to scrutinise the impact of the transformation programme, noting that its impact was unclear and it was not included in the proposals; was keen to see an emphasis on prevention to manage demand, expressed significant concerns over the proposals for mental health services and expressed concern over the purchase of care home beds on block. The Committee also highlighted areas where they would continue to keep a watching brief including daytime support, Carillion and the Growth agenda. 

Councillor David Bartholomew, Cabinet Member for Finance responded to the comments made. He indicated that transformation was coming out temporarily to allow for greater clarity. There had been something of a pause and reset on transformation but the numbers, both the savings and the cost of achieving them would be going back in before decisions were taken. It would be an ongoing and iterative process. Councillor Brighouse asked that any new numbers come to Scrutiny. Councillor Ian Hudspeth, Leader of the Council, highlighted the role of the Transformation Sub-Committee that was a joint meeting of Performance Scrutiny Committee and Audit & Governance Committee members. The figures referred to would go to that Sub-Committee before February Council.

Councillor Jamila Begum Azad, local councillor for St Clement's & Cowley Marsh, referred to a new sign on the St Clements community building identifying it as Blackbird Leys Family Solutions service.  She queried why it had been named Blackbird Leys and highlighted the needs of young people and vulnerable people in the wider East Oxford area. Councillor Gray, Cabinet Member for Local Communities replied that he had recently visited the centre and would take up the comments made.

Referring to the comments made on adult social care Councillor Stratford, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, stated that the changes to mental health were still proposals and the Council was still in discussion with Oxford Health. The Daytime Support changes were going well but there would be a review and some changes could be expected.

Councillor David Bartholomew, Cabinet Member for Finance, in moving the recommendations, thanked officers for their work. Lorna Baxter, Director of Finance, introduced the contents of the addenda setting out details of the Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement for 2019/20 and noting that the Council was still waiting on confirmation on schools’ capital funding.

During discussion a Cabinet Member highlighted innovation including the street lighting programme which was a great use of new technology and the Bus Service Operators Grant. In his Division three buses were running that otherwise would not be able to run.

RESOLVED:             to take the issues set out in the report into consideration in forming their proposed budget for 2019/20, Medium Term Financial Plan to 2022/23 and Capital Programme to 2028/29.