Agenda item

Departmental and Service Committee Budget Estimates 2021/22

Report of the Chamberlain.

Minutes:

The Committee considered a joint report of the Director of Open Spaces and Chamberlain on the budget estimates for the Epping Forest and Commons Committee for 2021/22. The Chamberlain introduced the report and emphasised the saving proposals which had been actioned. The Director of Open Spaces highlighted the twelve percent savings required across the City of London Corporation and commented on the importance of starting the year with a balanced budget. The Chairman remarked that while the funding reduction was painful it was required and stated any works not completed in the Cyclical Works Programme in 2021 be planned for 2022.

 

Responding to a Committee member’s query the Director of Open Spaces clarified that the Climate Action Strategy funding had been confirmed, with the majority of the open spaces allocated funds taking place at sites in Epping Forest and the Commons.

 

A Member highlighted the reduction in the budget for funding apprenticeships within the Open Spaces Department. The Director of Open Spaces explained that, despite the reduction in funding, the Department would still be bidding for central funding for apprentices. The Chairman suggested that the open spaces committee chairmen and deputy chairmen discuss this matter further and that a report be brought to the Committee for consideration.

 

The Chairman suggested that the Committee consider Item 8, the CWP Updated Bid Report, before reaching a decision on Item 4. The Committee agreed to consider the Item 8 before approving Item 4.

 

It was commented that it was important to know what risk there was of certain projects not being completed due to the reduced budget.

 

RESOLVED- That: -

  1. The Epping Forest proposed revenue budget for 2021/22 be approved for submission to the Finance Committee;
  2. The Commons proposed revenue budgets for 2021/22 be approved for submission to Finance Committee; and
  3. That the Epping Forest capital and supplementary revenue project budgets for 2021/22 be approved for submission to Finance Committee; and
  4. That the Commons capital and supplementary revenue project budgets be approved for 2021/22 for submission to Finance Committee; and
  5. That the Chamberlain be authorised, in consultation with the Director of Open Spaces to revise these budgets to allow for any further implications arising from, Corporate Projects, the City’s new Target Operating Model, and changes to the Cyclical Works Programme; and
  6. That any minor amendments for 2020/21 and 2021/22 budgets arising during budget setting be delegated to the Chamberlain,

 

Supporting documents: