Agenda item

Noted

The Chief Executive introduced a progress report on the delivery of budget 2011/12 setting out the steps taken to prepare for the anticipated severe funding cuts and to achieve a balanced budget in 2011/12 and beyond. 

The Chief Executive advised that the Authority was close to securing £2m of the £7m target and that steps were in place to secure the vast majority of the remainder of the money.  The workforce planning exercise had resulted in 237 expressions of interest that had been considered by the Corporate Management Team and there would be a further update on the practical outcome of these expressions of interest at the following meeting.

In answer to a question the Director of Resources advised that the £400,000 savings with regard to financing the capital programme had been achieved.

Members of the Cabinet welcomed the report and noted the Senior Management restructure consultation paper that had been circulated and welcomed senior staffing being addressed in the first instance in response to the need to provide savings. 

The Leader asked for confirmation that the Authority’s estimate of the outcome and impact of the spending review was likely to be realistic.  The Director of Resources advised that for planning purposes it was a prudent sum that had been calculated using sound methodology.  Whilst the outcome would not be certain until the 20^th October, the Director was confident that it would not be less than the Authority had anticipated. 

Resolved – That the report be noted.