Agenda, decisions and minutes

Resolved: the minutes of the last meeting were agreed as a true record.

Resolved: the minutes of the last meeting were agreed as a true record.

The following non-pecuniary interest was declared:

Cllr Jacq Paschoud has a close family member in receipt of a package of adult social care.

Resolved: the committee agreed to refer its views to the Public Accounts Select Committee.

Tom Brown (Executive Director for Community Services) introduced the budget cuts report and the following key points were noted:

1.1  The council continues to do everything it can to support residents and business during the pandemic and despite prudent financial management we are forced to confront a huge budget gap.

1.2  This is the result of a decade of government cuts and underfunding which has seen the council’s budget reduced by 50%. Across the country the local government funding gap is more than £4bn.

1.3  The proposals being discussed aim to prioritise protection of frontline services and transforming the way the council works, but there will be reductions in some services and deletion of some posts.

1.4  Over the next 3 years the majority of cuts will be delivered by continuing to transform the way the council works.

1.5  The local government settlement was marginally better than expected, but the council still needs to find around £28m of cuts in the coming financial year. The Round 1 cuts agreed in December provide £15m of the £28m needed. The cuts being considered in this round provide £13m and if accepted in full would close the budget gap for the coming financial year.

1.6  Covid continues to cast uncertainty on local government finances. Although the government has confirmed that some income losses will be funded the council remains very concerned about the ongoing pressures of the pandemic. There have been no assurances from government about funding into 2021/22.

1.7  There are significant concerns about the impact on the economy with many local businesses currently relying on grants and rate relief. The end of the furlough scheme may also see a rise in unemployment and more demand for council services. There will also be a significant impact on our partners, in particular health and social care providers and schools.

1.8  Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care, Councillor Best, commented that the government’s austerity agenda has continued to get worse and that continuing to increasing the adult social care precept is not fair or sustainable solution. Cllr Best said that the government urgently needs to fix the funding model for adult social care.

Tom Brown (Executive Director for Community Services) introduced each of the budget cuts. The committee discussed each of the proposals and the following key points were made:

B-11 - Improved usage of BCF Funding across partners

1.9  The Better Care Fund is being reviewed to get best value. The fund itself won’t go down, but the way it is deployed will allow cost pressures elsewhere to be offset and release some savings.

1.10      A progress update on the review will be brought the next meeting of this committee.

The committee also asked to discuss and comment on a number of Round 1 cuts proposals.

B04 – smoking cessation service (Round 1)

1.11      It was confirmed that the Southeast London CCG has agreed to pay for this service going forwards.

1.12      The Chair asked for it to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

There were none.

There were none.

Resolved: the committee agreed to add two additional items to the February agenda to consider updates on two budget cuts proposals (B-11 and F-24).

Resolved: the committee agreed to add two additional items to the February agenda to consider updates on two budget cuts proposals (B-11 and F-24).