Agenda item

Report of the Chamberlain.

The Sub-Committee considered a report of the Chamberlain which provided Members with information regarding proposals to publish an Efficiency and Sustainability Plan to ensure that there was certainty regarding the Local Government Funding Settlement for 2016/17 to 2019/20.

The Chairman commented that the proposals for efficiency savings (as set out within the report) were appropriate, but the challenge would be to ensure that these were achieved.

Members discussed whether Brexit would have any implications on the efficiency proposals. The Chairman commented that the requirement to achieve efficiency savings would be present regardless of the impact of Brexit. Members noted that there may be an impact on rental income and property values in the medium term, but it was difficult to quantify the extent of this impact at this stage. The City Surveyor advised Members that the majority of the Corporation’s rental property was rented on the basis on relatively long leases. Therefore, short term rental income was fairly secure.

A Member asked for clarification regarding whether the removal of the assumed 1% budget increase for pay and prices indicated an intention to reduce or remove pay rises in future. The Member commented that he would wish for the Corporation to ensure that it remained an attractive employer. The Chamberlain explained that this measure would focus upon achieving reductions in prices. He explained that the Establishment Committee was conducting a review of pay and grading within the organisation.

RESOLVED – That the Sub-Committee notes the milestones for the review and approval of the published Efficiency and Sustainability Plan