(a)

Plymouth had set a robust budget for 2017/18, in response to the large reductions to Local Government funding, which looked to address the challenging demands of the city and its residents enabling Plymouth to continue to grow;

(b)

despite imposed austerity measures, Plymouth would continue to lobby Government specifically with regards to long term funding solutions for Adult Social Care (ASC). Plymouth City Council raised funding by increasing council tax to support this area however it was not considered a sustainable long term solution. The Council had received a £1.3m grant for ASC but this was a one off payment and would not be available after 2017/18 however the need for support would remain;

(c)

additional funding for adult social care was announced in the budget statement amounting to £11.3m over three years with 5.8 received in 2017/18; this funding would come with conditions however the Council would continue to work hard with health partners to assure the new resources were used effectively;

(d)

the Council welcomed the announcement of the Green Paper for wider reforms and for longer term sustainable funding options for Adult Social Care;

(e)

for 2017/18 Government had reduced Plymouth’s core spending power by £2.2m to £184.1m. To calculate the 2017/18 revenue support grant, an assumption had been made by Government that the Council would increase its council tax by 2% resulting in a generation of £5.1m;

(f)

the revenue support grant had fallen by over £10m;

(g)

the New Homes Bonus had reduced however the threshold for growth had increased to 0.4%;

(h)

capital receipts were being utilised to support the capital programme;

(i)

the Council would be investing significant capital resources to support four key strategic outcomes including delivering Plymouth plan, generating income, maintaining council assets and transforming service delivery.

(j)

Adult Social Care Funding and details as to when and how this would be distributed;

(k)

the devolution of business rates to Local Government and the effect on the Council;

(l)

the ‘extended rights’ programme for children aged 11-16, including free school meals, transport and credit;

(m)

the allocation of the Better Care Fund and how this would be shared with partners;

(n)

the necessity of the increase in Council Tax having regard for additional Government funding secured;

(o)

progress linked to the Sustainability Transformation Plan and pilot sites;

(p)

BID projects underway and those successful;

(q)

preparations for next year’s budget including information surrounding the three year settlement and grant allocations.

1.

the Better Care Fund financial return would be provided to Members on a quarterly basis;

2.

Members of the select committee would meet on an informal basis and agree a plan for scrutinising the budget prior to and in preparation for the next select committee review.