Issue - meetings

See the budget appendix pack for details of each proposal.

Resolved: that the Committee’s comments would be submitted to the meeting of the Public Accounts Select Committee on 7 November 2018.

5.1    David Austin (Head of Corporate Resources) introduced the report, the following key points were noted:

·           The context for the report was the Council’s medium term financial strategy that was published in July (2018) and considered at Public Accounts Committee and Mayor and Cabinet.

·           The strategy identified that for the next two financial years (2019-20 and 2020-21) the Council needed to find £30m of cuts - £17m in 2019-20 and £13m in 2020-21 to set a balanced budget (as required by statute).

·           Officers commenced a process in May-June 2018 developing proposals for cuts. The proposals had then been considered via an executive management team review process.

·           Proposals totalling £21m had been submitted for scrutiny.

5.2    David Austin responded to questions from the Committee. The following key points were noted:

·           Some spending on local government had been announced in the Chancellors Autumn budget – notably for adult social care - but it was anticipated that there would be more for local government in the Government’s comprehensive spending review on 2019.

·           Further information was awaited about the business rate relief for small businesses that had been announced by the Chancellor. The change would likely have implications for the London business rate pool.

5.3    David Edwards (Environmental Health Group Service Manager) introduced proposal COM08 (Change in the public engagement responsibilities for air quality and dedicated funding). The following key points were noted:

·           There were two sides to the Council’s air quality work: statutory responsibilities and campaign work. The proposed cut of £40k was currently being used for campaign work, including: school audits, green screens and the Lewisham air app.

·           The statutory responsibility for air quality work was currently supported through the Council’s environmental health team. The proposal was to fund engagement activity through the Council’s Public Health budget in future.

5.4    David Edwards responded a question from the Committee, the following key point was noted:

·           The ability of officers to apply for funding and grants for air quality initiatives would be retained.

5.5    Aileen Buckton (Executive Director for Community Services) introduced proposal COM15 (Extend use of the Broadway Theatre) the following key points were noted:

·           The plan was to implement the proposal in 2020-21 in order to give the service time to prepare.

·           There had been investment in the theatre which had allowed a greater range of activities and events to be held there.

·           Income at the theatre was steadily increasing, which had facilitated the employment of a marketing officer.

5.6    Aileen Buckton responded to a question from the Committee, the following key point was noted:

·           Officers were confident that the proposal could be delivered in 2020-21.

5.7    Ralph Wilkinson (Head of Public Services) introduced proposal CUS14 (Parking service revenue review) the following key points were noted:

·           There should be some surplus in the future parking service budget.

·           The Council could not make profit from the service to meet its budget deficit.

5.8    The Committee discussed the proposal – the following key points were noted:

·           Fines from people breaking the rules were welcomed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5