Agenda item

The Chair remarked this was an annual occurrence and the Council was not in possession of all the information required until the Local Government settlement was announced in early 2025.

It was discussed that while Local Government was expected to receive an increase as part of the settlement, it was unknown how much this would be.

A Member stated they were pleased that additional funding was going to Area Care and wondered if additional waste bins was possible as a result. It was clarified waste bins were paid for from Capital budgets and that requests for bins should be made to the relevant Neighbourhood Manager.

It was also queried if increasing the finance team by nine full-time equivalent posts could be phased, especially as other services were facing budget challenges. The Director of Finance and Transformation agreed this would be examined as part of the budget process. The Chair commented the Council’s auditors had stated there was a lack of qualified accountants in the Council.

The Chair thanked the Executive Member for Finance and the Director for Finance and Transformation for their attendance at the meeting.

NOTED