Agenda item

There was one urgent item:

2019/20 Revenue Resource Budget Requests

The Sub-Committee considered a report of the Chamberlain concerning the prioritisation of requests for revenue budget funding for 2019/20 for City Fund and City’s Cash.

Members considered the various unavoidable contract costs set out, noting that there was little choice but to accept them at this point in time. In particular, some specific extenuating and explanatory factors involving the street cleansing contract were discussed. However, it was observed that there would be an opportunity on a regular basis to review service levels associated with this and other contracts, which would allow for the ability to adjust costs if required.

The Sub-Committee proceeded to review the various budget requests set out in Appendix 1. During a wide-ranging discussion, Members noted that a sizeable proportion of the bids had already been approved by the Policy and Resources Committee and, in some cases, associated activities had already taken place. Following discussion, it was agreed that it would be inadvisable to seek to unpick the individual approvals at this point in time. Further, it was noted that the forthcoming fundamental review would provide an opportunity to review all allocations for future years; approvals at this point would, therefore, constitute only a one-year commitment with an opportunity to review. However, it was noted that some decisions would need to be taken in the context of any political commitments already made in respect of longer-term funding.

A Member also commented on the Policy & Resources Committee’s Contingency Fund, asking that consideration be given to increasing the size of that fund moving forwards to allow the Committee greater flexibility in responding to emerging need.

RESOLVED: That Members:-

1.      Accept bids of £5.2m for unavoidable contract costs as set out in the report, subject to evaluation as part of the fundamental review (£2.4m where funding has already been approved by Policy and Resources Committee; £1.5m for externally funded requests; and £2.2m for requests already agreed where funding has started already (totalling £11.3m), as set out in paragraph 8).

2.      Consider the 2019/20 budget requests set out in the report for inclusion in the relevant base budget, detailed in appendix 1 and summarised in paragraph 9.

3.      Approve the policy that no further base budget requests for 2019/20 will be approved unless there are exceptional circumstances.