Agenda item

Joint report of the Chamberlain and the Commissioner of Police.

The Committee considered a joint report of the Chamberlain and Commissioner of Police which provided details of the Revenue and Capital Budget for 2015/16 and the draft Medium Term Financial plan for the period to 2017/18.

Members noted that a number of risks had been built into the plan including the assumption that there would be no increase in the Business Rate Premium.  One Member expressed a view that the Business Rate should not be raised; however this matter would be discussed in more detail by the Finance Committee.

Members acknowledged the financial challenges that the Force was facing and noted the options on page 31 of the report that may be required to eliminate the underlying revenue deficits from 2016 onwards. 

RESOLVED – That,

a)    the latest forecast outturn for 2014/15 be noted;

b)    the revenue budget for 2015/16 be approved and submitted to the Finance Committee;

c)    the capital budget for 2015/16 be approved; and

d)    the indicative forecasts for 2016/17 and 2017/18 together with the  proposal to report back to Committee before the summer recess setting out a financial strategy to maintain a minimum general reserve balance of £4m over the period to 2017/18 be noted.