Agenda item

6.1

The Chair announced the proposal that an urgent item of business be considered at this point in the proceedings. Council Procedure Rule 26 states that “An item of business may be considered at a meeting of the Council as a matter of urgency, where it has not been possible to give five clear working days’ notice, on the recommendation of the Chair, but the reason for such urgency must be recorded in the minutes. The Chair agreed to the inclusion so as to be in line with all Transitional Committee agendas in this cycle of meetings, giving all members of transitional committees equal opportunity to consider this overarching matter.  It was not possible in time available to give appropriate notice and publish with agenda, and it was considered members would be at a disadvantage if not included for consideration.

6.2

Present for this item was Councillor Cate McDonald, (Executive Member for Finance and Resources), Eugene Walker (Executive Director of Resources and Laurie Brennan (Policy and Improvement Officer)

6.3

An introduction was given explaining that a conversation was to be started about priorities and how they were reflected in budget decisions for the future. The financial context was explained in terms of the September budget report to the Co-operative Executive, which set out the potential £40m plus overspend, resulting from the impact of covid pressures on income, planning, leisure but in particular social care and humanitarian issues. It was explained that the recent Government announcement on social care was mainly about the future capping of care fees and has not provided a solution to help with the current pressures and as a result it provides a difficult context for this year’s budget into next. It was stated that these difficulties make it important to have a clear sense of priorities to guide the allocation of budgets and that whilst Transitional Committees were not formally involved in the process, they had an advisory role. Looking forward to next year the budget would be done in a different way and built up through committees.

6.4

It was explained that the One Year Plan sets out the Co-Operative Executive’s ambition to have a 3–5-year corporate plan with priority led budgeting. It was stated that the meeting was an important opportunity to start a conversation about this. It was also suggested that a summary of key priorities could be produced by the Committee and Policy and Improvement Officer and then fed back.

6.5

Members of the Committee raised questions, and the following responses were provided:

·       It would be very helpful to get feedback over the next coming months.

·       Diminishing resources were being looked at to support key policies and looking how the committee system will work in the future. Also looking at how choices that are made on how money will be spent will work in the future.

·       It will be considered how money might also be saved and this will be built into the approach.

6.6

It was stated that it is appreciated that it is early stages of working for the committee. It was suggested that the Policy and Improvement Officer, Alice Nicholson would email members of the Committee to enquire about meeting with the Chair, Councillor Dawn Dale and Alice Nicholson to draw up recommendations for officers.

6.7

RESOLVED: That the Committee:-

(a) notes the information now reported, together with the responses to the questions raised;

(b) thanks Councillor Cate McDonald, Eugene Walker and Laurie Brennan for attending the meeting, and responding to the questions raised and

(c) requests the Policy and Improvement Officer to write to members of the Committee with regards to progressing this work and working on recommendations.