Agenda and draft minutes

There were no substitutions at the meeting.

There were no declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests and personal or personal and prejudicial interests.

No whip was declared.

That the minutes of the proceedings of the meeting held on 9 January 2024, and the special meeting held on 24 Jnauary 2024, having been printed and circulated amongst the members, be taken as read and correctly recorded and be signed by the Chairman.

There were no public speaking requests.

The Chairman welcomed Stuart Fair, Mark Kitching and Louise Allison to the meeting, the council’s Director: Finance and section 151 Officer (Interim), Head of Financial Services and Financial Strategy Strategic Leadrespectively.  The council officers had been invited to guide the members through the local government finance settlement and how it had impacted on the council’s financial planning.

The Director delivered a presentation to members on the following –

Financial strategy for achieving a sustainable council

Local Government Finance Settlement

Forecast spending power

Changes in spending power

Medium Term Financial Planning and proposed budget adjustments

Council reserves

Robustness of estimates

Capital Investment Strategy

Capital Investment Programme

Treasury Management Strategy

Following the completion of the presentation, the Chairman facilitated a discussion between Panel Members and Mr Fair, Mr Kitching and Mrs Allison.

Resolved – (a) That the presentation be received with thanks, and (b) that the Director: Finance and section 151 Officer (Interim), Head of Financial Services and Financial Strategy Strategic Lead be thanked for their attendance, presentation and for answering members’ questions.

The Director: Outcomes updated the panel on the progress being made in progressing the Community Governance Review.

Resolved – That the verbal update be noted.

There was no added item for consideration at the meeting.

There was no urgent business for consideration at the meeting.