Agenda item

15.1

The report provided an in-depth breakdown of the pressures and mitigation/savings options for the Housing General Fund in 2023/24.  Members were asked to consider the mitigation options presented in this paper.  A delivery plan for achieving a balanced Housing General Fund for 2023/24 will then be developed and presented to the next meeting of this Committee in November 2022.  Members were asked to note that some of the proposals in this report are sensitive and have not been shared with staff or citizens and are therefore confidential.

15.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That Housing Policy Committee:-

1. Acknowledges the recommendation approved at the Strategy and Resources Committee on 5 July 2022 that “Policy Committees will be asked to develop savings / additional income options that cover their own pressures – in effect cash standstill” and to “require Policy Committees to report at their meetings in September on how they can balance their budgets.”
   
   
2. Notes, as this Committee's initial response to the Strategy and Resources Committee's request, the set of budget proposals set out in the report [and in any appendices].
   
   
3. Notes that Officers will now work with Members to consult with relevant stakeholders (including with partners, trades unions and in respect of equalities and climate change) on the proposals in this report so as to inform final budget proposals.
   
   
4. Notes that Officers will work to develop any necessary detailed implementation plans for the proposals in this report so that the proposals, if ultimately approved, can be implemented as planned before or during the 2023/24 financial year.
   
   
5. Ask to receive a further report in November that will set out the final budget  for this Committee following consultation and any adjustments requested by the Strategy and Resources Committee

15.3

Reasons for Decision

Members were asked to note the unsustainable financial position highlighted by the medium-term financial analysis presented to Strategy and Resources Committee in July 2022. The report and its recommendations, set out the scale of the challenge ahead, the limited resources available and some of the difficult decisions that will need to be taken.

15.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

The Council is required to both set a balanced budget and to ensure that in-year income and expenditure are balanced. No other alternatives were considered.

14.1

The Director of Housing Services presented the report which provided an in-depth breakdown of the pressures and mitigation/savings options for the Housing General Fund in 2023/24.  Members were asked to consider the mitigation options presented in this paper.  A delivery plan for achieving a balanced Housing General Fund for 2023/24 will then be developed and presented to the next meeting of this Committee in November 2022.  Members were asked to note that some of the proposals in this report are sensitive and have not been shared with staff or citizens and are therefore confidential.

14.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That Housing Policy Committee:-

1. Acknowledges the recommendation approved at the Strategy and Resources Committee on 5 July 2022 that “Policy Committees will be asked to develop savings / additional income options that cover their own pressures – in effect cash standstill” and to “require Policy Committees to report at their meetings in September on how they can balance their budgets.”
   
   
2. Notes, as this Committee's initial response to the Strategy and Resources Committee's request, the set of budget proposals set out in the report [and in any appendices].
   
   
3. Notes that Officers will now work with Members to consult with relevant stakeholders (including with partners, trades unions and in respect of equalities and climate change) on the proposals in this report so as to inform final budget proposals.
   
   
4. Notes that Officers will work to develop any necessary detailed implementation plans for the proposals in this report so that the proposals, if ultimately approved, can be implemented as planned before or during the 2023/24 financial year.
   
   
5. Ask to receive a further report in November that will set out the final budget for this Committee following consultation and any adjustments requested by the Strategy and Resources Committee

14.3

Reasons for Decision

Members were asked to note the unsustainable financial position highlighted by the medium-term financial analysis presented to Strategy and Resources Committee in July 2022. The report and its recommendations, set out the scale of the challenge ahead, the limited resources available and some of the difficult decisions that will need to be taken.

14.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

The Council is required to both set a balanced budget and to ensure that in-year income and expenditure are balanced. No other alternatives were considered.