Agenda and draft minutes

Venue: Committee Room A - County Hall, Llandrindod Wells, Powys. View directions

Contact: Lisa Richard 

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies

To receive apologies for absence.

2.

Notes pdf icon PDF 265 KB

To receive the notes of the last meeting.

Minutes:

Documents:

·         Notes of the last meeting held on 25 November 2019

 

Discussion:

·         Further information on capital receipts was outstanding

·         Representation on the Panel considering impact assessments was also outstanding – the Portfolio Holder for Finance explained that a Panel had not been set up and each impact assessment had been considered by the relevant portfolio holder

·         Details regarding savings which had not been achieved had not been presented – this would be available with the final report for consideration by County Council

 

Outcomes:

·         Noted

3.

Budget 20/21 pdf icon PDF 1 MB

To consider the proposed budget for 2020/21.

(Papers will be released on Wednesday 15 January 2020)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Documents:

·         Report of the Portfolio Holder for Finance

·         Medium Term Financial Strategy

·         Finance Resource Model

·         Register of Fees and Charges

·         Report of Fees and Charges

·         Reserves Policy

·         Budget Simulator

·         Impact Assessments

 

Discussion:

·         One department had issued one impact assessment for five separate savings.  This was not acceptable, and the Head of Finance agreed to take the issue back to the relevant Head of Service.

·         The Finance Panel questioned its role in the budget process as the Panel had only had access to the budget at the same time that it was released to the public giving limited time for scrutiny.  Members had expected that they would be involved throughout the process.  The future of the Finance Panel must be questionable in these circumstances.

·         The Portfolio Holder indicated that draft savings proposals had been considered at the previous meeting but that the process was much later than anyone would have wished given the late arrival of the provisional settlement

·         It was suggested that the emphasis should change from cuts to income generation – Integrated Business Planning (IBP) has been introduced and this should focus on outcomes which would include income generation, transformation etc

·         The Chair suggested that the Panel should consider the balance of how money is spent.  There appeared to be a distorted expenditure pattern compared to other local authorities and the Panel should consider the reasons for this. 

·         Stats Wales data, shared at the last meeting, highlighted that £10M corporate expenditure had been wrongly allocated.  Once this has been correctly allocated across services, this will exacerbate the issue of service expenditure being higher than comparator authorities.

·         Members had been invited to a series of seminars in which services had explained in more detail the financial position in their areas

·         A new approach had been taken to ensure that IBPs were embedded in both the immediate and longer-term budget plans

·         The MTFS has been refreshed and a draft approved in September 2019 – this is a continual process

·         Scenario planning has also been introduced to determine the best, worst and most likely scenario

·         A budget gap had been identified against Welsh Government funding and proposals to bridge that gap including cost reductions, efficiencies and income generation proposals have been considered

·         In November 2019, the WLGA intimated that the settlement may be more favourable, and an improved provisional funding settlement was announced on 16 December 2019. Powys has been allocated a 5.4% increase against an average across Wales of 5.6%

·         Despite the increased settlement, a budget gap of £13M is estimated

·         The final settlement is due on 25 February 2020

·         Powys ranks 5th across 22 authorities in achieving Public Accountability Measures

·         Budget gap planning to 2024/25 is being undertaken

·         The draft budget has taken into consideration a review of comparative data and inescapable cost pressures

·         The largest cost reductions were in Social Care.  The Head of Service was content that the savings being put forward would be achievable.  However, the Panel remained sceptical as this had been promised in previous  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

4.

Financial Overview and Forecast

To consider the report of the Portfolio Holder for Finance.

 

This item has been withdrawn

Minutes:

This item was withdrawn.

 

5.

Capital Report

To consider the report of the Portfolio Holder for Finance.

 

This item has been withdrawn

 

Minutes:

This item was withdrawn.

6.

Work Programme pdf icon PDF 325 KB

To note the forward work programme and consider any other items for inclusion.