Agenda and minutes

Councillor M Smith was appointed Chair for the meeting.

Councillor M Smith in the Chair

Apologies for absence had been received from Councillors K Clegg, A Dale, M Emmens, M Foster, C Gare, L Hartshorne, S Reed, C Renwick, R Shipman, Caroline Smith, Christine Smith, and K Tait.

Members are requested to declare the existence and nature of any disclosable pecuniary interests and/or other interests, not already on their register of interests, in any item on the agenda and withdraw from the meeting at the appropriate time.

None.

Report of the Director of Finance & Resources and Section 151 Officer

The report to the Joint Scrutiny Committee had an appendix which was the report for the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) 2024/25 to 2028/29 prior to it being submitted to Cabinet and Council on 23 and 27 January respectively.

The Director of Finance and Resources delivered a presentation which summarised how the Medium-Term Financial Plan 2024 – 2029 had been progressing. This included details about:

• General Fund
• Reasons for Uncertainty
• National Settlement 2025/26
• Funding Reforms & Other National Reforms
• Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)
• Reserves
• Social Housing Regulation Act 2023
• Forecast
• Housing Revenue Account
• Capital Investment Programme

Members discussed the proposed Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) and its impact on the Medium-Term Financial Plan 2024 – 2029. Councillor Nigel Barker explained that the topic of Local Government Reorganisation would be on the 27 January 2025 Council agenda, so Members would have an opportunity to discuss it in more detail at that meeting.

Members also discussed the issue of reserves as a possibility in budget setting. The Director of Finance and Resources advised that the majority of the Council’s reserves were ring-fenced, so there would be a limit on using them.

Members turned to the subject of Council Tax, and enquired if provisions were made for those claiming benefits. The Director of Finance and Resources explained that Council Tax was set at a lower level for those claiming benefits.

RESOLVED – That the Joint Scrutiny Committee noted the report.

To consider any other matter which the Chair of the Committee is of the opinion should be considered as a matter of urgency.  

None.