Agenda item

To generate key points to be included within the Committee’s report regarding their overview of the 2021-23 MTFP

The Committee received a report, set out in agenda pages 67 to 78, which sought suggestions to be included within the Committee’s annual report on their overview of the draft Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP). For reference, the report from the previous municipal year was also included.

Callum Wernham, Democratic & Electoral Services Specialist, attended the meeting to answer Member queries.

During the ensuing discussions, Members raised the following points and queries:

·           The Committee felt that the process of overviewing and scrutinising the draft MTFP had gone well this year, and much had been learnt from the first year of this process which was carried out during the 2019/20 municipal year. Officers had answered Member questions and queries in a professional manner, and where answers could not be provided on the evening they had then been circulated as agreed in due course.

·           The Committee were of the opinion that Executive Members and Directors had been very helpful and approachable during Committee meetings.

·           The Committee felt that a substantial amount of work had been conducted over this municipal year, and thanked all those who made this happen.

·           A number of Members were of the opinion that holding the meetings virtually this municipal year had assisted the Committee. Presentations were easier to follow, and documentation was available in one place which was easy to reference.

·           Members were of the opinion that it was very useful to be able to have these discussions in a public forum.

·           It was noted that there had been some formatting errors and consistency changes of templates from last year’s review. Members hoped that these issues would be addressed and improved going forwards.

·           Members were of the opinion that the overall process had come a long way in just 12 months, and thanked all of those who had helped to bring forward these improvements.

·           The Chairman commented that so long as he was Chairman of the Committee, he would continue to pursue an annual overview of the draft MTFP.

·           The Committee commented that it had been very impressed that a full overview of the draft MTFP had been carried out despite huge pressures on Council services and staff.

·           The Committee noted that the financial position of the Council was now far more certain than it had been at the start of this year’s review, and that this was a testament to all those involved within both the budget setting process and the overview and scrutiny of it.

·           The Committee wished to extend their specific thanks to Graham Ebers (Deputy Chief Executive) and John Kaiser (Executive Member for Finance and Housing) for their hard work and attendance both behind the scenes and at every Committee session relating to the draft MTFP.

·           The Committee wished to thank all Members and officers who had made this year’s overview of the draft MTFP possible, including all improvements made from the inaugural budget review during the 2019/20 municipal year.

RESOLVED That:

1)     Callum Wernham be thanked for attending the Committee;

2)     Comments made by Committee Members be included within the Committee’s report;

3)     Officers be delegated to draft the Committee’s report, which is to be agreed in conjunction with the Chairman;

4)     Members contact officers with any additional points for inclusion within their report;

5)     Graham Ebers (Deputy Chief Executive) and John Kaiser (Executive Member for Finance and Housing) be thanked for their hard work and attendance both behind the scenes and at every Committee session relating to the draft MTFP;

6)     All Members and officers who had made this year’s overview of the draft MTFP possible be thanked, including for all improvements made from the inaugural budget review during the 2019/20 municipal year.