Issue - meetings

Cabinet Member: Finance

Forward Plan Ref: 2013/051

Contact: Lorna Baxter, Deputy Chief Finance Officer Tel: (01865) 323971

Report by Assistant Chief Executive & Chief Finance Officer (CA7).

This report is the first in a series on the Service & Resource Planning process for 2014/15 to 2017/18, providing councillors with information on budget issues for 2014/15 and the medium term. The report presents the assumptions on which the existing Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) is based, known and potential financial issues for 2014/15 and beyond which impact on the existing MTFP, and proposes a process for Service & Resource Planning for 2014/15 including a timetable of events.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:

(a)              note the report; and

(b)              approve the Service and Resource Planning process for 2014/15.

Cabinet had before them the first report in a series on the Service & Resource Planning process for 2014/15 to 2017/18, providing councillors with information on budget issues for 2014/15 and the medium term. The report presented the assumptions on which the existing Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) is based, known and potential financial issues for 2014/15 and beyond which impact on the existing MTFP, and proposed a process for Service & Resource Planning for 2014/15 including a timetable of events.

The Leader commented that this was the last meeting for Sue Scane in her current role as Chief Finance Officer & Assistant Chief Executive before she took up her new role as Director Designate for Environment & Economy. He thanked her for all her hard work and recognised that she had built an excellent team and done a terrific job. His best wishes to Sue Scane in her new role were echoed by Cabinet Members and Councillor Hards.

Councillor Nick Hards, Shadow Cabinet Member for Finance emphasised the difficult financial position and the constraints placed on the Council by central government. He stressed the importance of all parties working together to find the best way forward for the citizens of Oxfordshire.

RESOLVED:             to:

(a)               note the report; and

(b)               approve the Service and Resource Planning process for 2014/15.