Councillor Lowry (Cabinet Member for Finance) introduced the report and highlighted the following points:

a)    National inflation, energy costs, increased demands, rising social care costs, homelessness had all continued to increase and therefore had a significant impact on setting the budget;

b)    Additional allowance had been made in the budget to ensure there was adequate funding to repair potholes and keep the roads safe;

c)    Additional funding had also been allocated to grass cutting due to the significant number of complaints received;

d)    The council would have a shortfall of £2.358 million of funding in 2024-25 which would need to be closed;

e)    The Commitments made in the Labour Council Manifesto (less potholes, streets would be cleaner and greener, increase greener transportation, build more homes and invest in the green infrastructure) had been set out in the budget:

f)     Next steps would include public engagement with businesses and the community to ask for their views and opinions on the budget. The budget would follow the scrutiny process for further consideration on 6 and 7 December 2023;

g)    After those steps had been taken, Cabinet would consider a further report in January and February 2023, which would then go to the Full Council on 26 February 2024. 

The Cabinet agreed to note the report and acknowledged that the report would be subject to change in line with any Government Autumn Statement, Provisional Settlement adjustments and changes required as proposals are developed.